John Press Welton June 13, 1935 – January 07, 2019 Share this obituary Send Flowers Sign Guestbook| Send Private Condolences| Send Sympathy Card John Press Welton was born on June 13, 1935 in Greenwood, SC. The family of Charlie, Sr. and Hattie (Radden) Welton would eventually include five girls and four boys. “Jake” as everyone would grow to call him, married Lula Moore, a professional educator, on September 5, 1959.
The young Weltons welcomed Douglas Andre’ Welton and Pacquitta Welton Coleman to their family. In recent years they welcomed four grandchildren: Italy Bianca Welton, New York, NY, Charli Narie Wideman, Greenwood, SC, Lorcan Press Welton, Charlotte, NC, and Davida Kaye-Moore Wideman, Greenwood, SC, and one daughter-in-law: Jolanda Hengstman Welton, Charlotte, NC, and one devoted son-in-law: James O. Coleman, Jr., Greenwood, SC. John is preceded in death by two brothers, (Charlie Welton, Jr., and Robert Welton) and three sisters (Willie Josie Williams, Thomasena Newell, and Gladys Speaks).
He is survived by by one brother: James A. Welton, Greenwood, SC, two sisters: Mattie Welton, Philadelphia, PA and Ella Pugh, Emporia, VA, one sister-in-law: Cora B Welton, Greenwood, SC, and two brothers-in-law: Reverend George W. Pugh, Sr., Emporia, VA, and Thomas Morton, Greenwood, SC. John’s hobbies were gardening, landscaping his yards, and watching old western movies. He was a world traveler having had the privilege of traveling to two countries in the Far East, seven European countries, as well as to Canada, Mexico, five Caribbean Islands, and 25 of the 50 states in the USA.
Mr. Welton attended West Side Elementary and Brewer High School. Following High School, he served in the United States Army Signal Corp (Pole Lineman). His tours of duty include Korea (1953 – 1955) and France (1957 – 1959).
He was a Telephone Installer-Repairman, Rank E-5. John’s work history included Taxi Driver for Moore’s Cab Company and Delivery Man for Moore’s Wood & Coal Company (both owned and operated by his father-in-law, Ealum Moore), and Greenwood Mills (Picker Hand). Mr. Welton was a pioneer at Sprint, Inc. (United Telephone Company), as the first African American Telephone Installer-Repairman hired by the company.
John’s job descriptions included Coin Phone Technician/Developer and Cable Maintenance Technician. He retired in 1998 after 25 years of honorable and dedicated service. John was an active member of Mt.
Tabor Baptist Church from early childhood until his declining health over the last year. Throughout his membership, he served as Vice President of the Deacons’ Ministry, Choir Member, Sunday School Teacher and Superintendent and Trustee. Mr. Welton’s civic activities included Veterans of Foreign Wars 8131 (Life Member), Little River Missionary Baptist Association Brotherhood Ministry, Little River Missionary Baptist Association Senior Citizens’ Ministry, and Brewer High School National Alumni Association, Inc. Sergeant-At-Arms.
Funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. on Sunday, January 13, 2019 at Mt. Tabor Baptist Church with Rev. Roger River, Pastor and Bishop Emanuel Spearman officiating.
The body will be placed in the church at 1p.m. Burial will be in Oakbrook Memorial Park. The family will receive friends at the home 2490 Cokesbury Road. Parks Funeral Home is assisting the Welton Family.
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