Kenneth Poe Funeral Services

July 15, 2017

Charlotte - Ann Harris Welchman died on Saturday, July 15, 2017 at Presbyterian Hospital in Charlotte, where she was born 85 years ago on October 6, 1931. Her parents were Cecil Fidello Harris and Minnie Olive Walker Harris. They brought her home to a household that included a beloved aunt and grandmother, and several years later a brother, Charles, joining a large extended family centered in the Charlotte area since the 1700 's. Ann attended Myers Park Elementary School, and graduated from Central High School before leaving for UNC's Women's College, now UNC Greensboro. While there, she met Charles Barret Welchman , a student at Duke, who for the next two years hitchhiked regularly between Durham and Greensboro. In 1953 they both graduated, she with a degree in Sociology, he in Math, and they married the next weekend. Barry immediately shipped out with the Navy, and they began a married life of 64 years which took them from the Virginia and DC area to Atlanta to Cherry Hill New Jersey, settling back in Charlotte in 1971. Daughter Claire and son David grew up in all these places as Barry worked in the computer industry from its earliest days, and Ann began a career in school and hospital administration. She retired after 25 years in the Admitting Office of Presbyterian Hospital.

Ann had many interests outside her family: knitting afghans, cross-stitch, gardening, and support services for Barry, who to her great delight had decided he enjoyed doing the cooking. But chief among those interests was music. She sang and played piano all her life, primarily in and through her church, and was a member of the Covenant Presbyterian choir for over 40 years. She also served as an Elder, and Elder Emerita at Covenant, was a Stephen Minister, and with Barry delivered Friendship Trays for many years. She was the recipient of the Shirley Henry award for exceptional volunteer service at Crisis Assistance Ministry. She was always focused on being useful, on anticipating what would be needed to make a person more comfortable or a situation more smooth, a community more hospitable, a place more beautiful. Then she worked gently, kindly, lovingly, and with consist purpose to make it so. Her personality was sunny, her outlook positive, and her delight in other people, particularly her family and their times together, a mainspring of her life. Her anchor was her love for Barry, and her knowledge through faith that through eternity love never dies.

In addition to her husband, Barry, Ann is survived by a daughter, Claire Trexler and her husband, Brent; son, David Welchman and his wife, Elizabeth, all of Charlotte; grandchildren, Charles Trexler III and his wife, Allie of Charlotte, Diana Trexler and her husband, Cihan Gürsoy of San Francisco, CA, Evan Welchman and his wife, Caroline of Winston-Salem, NC and Dylan Welchman of Charlotte; one great-grandchild, Barret Elizabeth Trexler; a brother, Charles W. Harris, MD and his wife, Joyce of Charlotte; and a number of much-loved nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, July 22, 2017 at Covenant Presbyterian Church with the Reverend Joan Watson officiating. The family will receive friends in the Fellowship Hall of the church following the service. Interment will be private.

Memorials may be made to Covenant Presbyterian Church, 1000 East Morehead, Charlotte, 28204, Crisis Assistance Ministry, 500 Spratt Street, Suite A, Charlotte, NC 28206 or to Friendship Trays, 2401 Distribution Street, Suite A, Charlotte, NC 28203.

Arrangements are in the care of Kenneth Poe Funeral & Cremation Service, 1321 Berkeley Avenue, Charlotte, NC 28204. 704-641-7606. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.Kennethpoeservices.com.