Carol Marguerite Welker

Carol Marguerite Welker died Wednesday, July 9, 2014 at The Havens of Show Low Care Center in Show Low, Navajo County, Arizona following a lengthy illness. She was 78 years old. Carol was born on October 29, 1935 in Globe, Gila County, Arizona to her parents, the late Lomax and Marguerite Eleanor (Shields) Aston. After graduating high school at the age of 18, Carol went to work as a bank teller in downtown Globe for a short time. She then became a young wife and mother to 3 children who all adored her. In 1964, she moved to Show Low and worked for about a month at the café at the Texaco Gas Station owned by Orville Adams. Then she immediately went to work at the old Goldwater Hospital, as part of the kitchen staff. Carol realized the value of good education and enrolled herself in, and began attending, night school to become a Certified Nurse's Assistant. She worked as a CNA until 1981, at which time she became a Unit Secretary at the then, Navopache Regional Medical Center in Show Low. She was finally able to retire in 1999 after 35 years of faithful service in the healthcare industry. Carol loved her pets, especially her dogs and cats. She was an avid book reader throughout her life and literally read 1000's of books. When she lost her ability to read, she truly missed her books. She loved to spend time with her grandkids and great-grandkids. Spoiling them was a high priority in her life. One of the things she will always be remembered for is the fact that she always remembered when all of the family birthday's were, down to the youngest of the great-grandchildren. She loved to send everyone their birthday cards. Her children are grateful to her for the values she instilled in each one of them. She taught them all, by example, the importance and value of hard work. Her work ethic was one that each of her children followed. She also taught them to be responsible for their actions and own them. She was a determined, independent and strong woman. She had a deep and abiding faith in the Lord and spent countless hours reading her Bible. Carol is survived by her 2 children: Cathy Johnson of Show Low, Arizona, Samuel Glen (Paula) Welker of Show Low, Arizona; daughter-in-law, Leslie Welker of St. Johns, Arizona; 13 grandchildren: Randy Tisher, David (Joy) Tisher, Hank (Becky) Slade, Travis (Jessie) Slade, Sammy (Jamie) Welker, Eric Welker, Melissa Bowers, Tyler Welker, Ashley (Micah) Rogers, Megan (Mark) Wilhelm, Rachel (Jon) Richardson, Michael Gary Welker, Lacey (Patrick) Gatewood; 39 great-grandchildren; 2 brothers: Maurice (Juanita) Aston of Globe, Arizona, Donald (Kate) Aston of Sun City, Arizona and step-brother, Clel Frazier of Arizona. Along with her parents, Carol was preceded in death by her son, Gary Welker on April 24, 2005 and by a sister, Maxine Welker when she was only 6 weeks old. The funeral service for Carol will begin 10:00 A.M., Saturday, July 12, 2014 at the Downtown Chapel of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 300 N. 11 Street in Show Low, Arizona where the visitation will begin 1 hour prior. The concluding service and interment will immediately follow at the Show Low Cemetery in Show Low.