Norma Louise Welch

Norma ""Pum"" Louise Reinike Welch - What a Lady! November 20, 1929 - August 3, 2015 Long Beach, MS
Norma Louise, affectionately known as ""Pum"" to family and friends, passed away on August 3, 2015.
Pum was born in Long Beach, MS. It was the beginning of the Great Depression, which only strengthened her resolve to live life according to her rules. She was a force of nature, shaping the lives of her family and friends.
She married her sweetheart, Bill, at 17. He was 16. She gratefully shared with him her zest for life for almost 70 years. Pum supported Bill's 38 years of service to our great nation. They then ran the Cypress Grove Nursery for an additional 17 years. In their lives together they had 68 wedding anniversaries, four children, and were blessed with five grandchildren and four great-grandchildren while living in 24 places throughout the United States. Their final home was the one Pum grew up in, in Long Beach.
Pum served as Classroom Room Mother for several years for her kids, and she assisted in Girl Scouting. She was a member of the Long Beach Community Church, Navy Wives Club, Business and Professional Women's Organization, and the Long Beach Historical Society; and she was a Charter Member of both the Long Beach Yacht Club and its Ladies Auxiliary. She was the consecutive three-time winner of the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life ""Best Mid-Night Snack"" with her award winning Spice Pecans. She enjoyed celebrating life, especially birthdays and holidays. She made everyone feel extra special, especially her immediate and extended family and her friends. Pum, and her two sisters and two sisters-in-law, shared many Yahtzee, Bingo and Bunko games, adventurous excursions, and shared the company of their families. Together these five ""sisters"" helped shape the lives of three generations.
Pum will be greatly missed by her family and friends for her loving ways that taught them about life and how to live it. She is preceded in death by her Mom and Dad, Dorcas (Panter) Reinike and Charles Reinike; her Mothers-in Law and Father-in-Law Marguerite (Stephens) Welch, Naomi Welch, and Robert ""Boley"" Welch; her sisters Frances Bertucci and Marguerite ""Gete"" Cuave; her sister-in-law Nancy Spade; brothers-in-law Felix Bertucci Sr., Earl Cuave, and Robert Bass, Sr. She leaves behind a loving husband of 68 years, James ""Bill"" Welch; a loving sister-in-law, Stephanie Bass, and a loving brother-in-law, Bobby Spayde; children, James ""Bill"" Welch, II, Dr. Charles ""Bob"" (and Terry) Welch, Tommi Townsend (and Dr. James ""Jimmy"") Baylot, Melinda Ann (and Howard ""Joe"") Durkee; grandchildren and great grandchildren, Julie (and Randy) Brander, Cynthia Welch, Joshua Welch and daughter Ryan, Dr. Amy (and Dr. Anthony ""Tony"") Bednar and daughters Elizabeth and Addison, and Meggie (and Travis) Edwards and daughter Taylor; twelve nieces and nephews, and loving ex-in-laws, Pat Ivans, Derek Farris, Rick Curry, and Beth Shores.
The family thanks the staffs at Mississippi Home Health, Memorial Hospital Gulfport, Select Hospital (especially Troy White), and the Gulfport Canon Hospice facility for their very special care. We extend a very special thanks to Stephanie Bass, Cindy Hooker, Earline Cuave, Pat Ivans, Bobby Spayde, and Carolyn Castanado for their above and beyond support. Pum wanted all to know how much she appreciated the prayers, flowers, and cards.
Visitation and funeral will be on Saturday, Aug. 8, at 9:30 and 10:30, respectively, at Riemann's Funeral Home, 19130 Commission Rd. in Long Beach. Brother Dewey Turnage will perform the service. Pall Bearers will be James W. Welch, II, Dr. Charles R. Welch, Dr. James T. Baylot, Joe Durkee, Joshua Welch, and Robert Bass, Jr. Graveside service will be held at Long Beach Cemetery. A reception for family and friends will be held at Long Beach Community Church following the graveside service.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks donations be made to Long Beach Community Church, 186 East Old Pass Rd, P.O. Box 947, Long Beach, MS 39560.
A wonderful new Angel awaits us in Heaven!