Janet Welford

JANET UNDERWOOD WELFORD
November 10, 1946-December 29, 2021

Janet Underwood Welford of Mobile, AL passed into eternity on Wednesday, December 29, 2021 at the age of 75.

Born to John Wesley Underwood, Jr. and Macel Autrey Underwood, she was the middle of three children. She drew upon her deep faith in Christ and her devout, loving family to overcome childhood health obstacles including polio. She excelled academically, graduated from Murphy High School, attended the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa majoring in bacteriology, and was a member of Alpha Xi Delta sorority. In chemistry lab she met her true love Alvin; they married and enjoyed 47 years together.

She continued her education at University of Alabama in Huntsville, interning in medical technology. Later she found her calling as a librarian for Mobile Public Library and ruminated that she might help the person who cures cancer. Ironically, cancer and other health issues would challenge her but she conquered them every time with unwavering tenacity and strength. She was selfless and generous, serving as caregiver for both her mother and her husband with compassion and fortitude.

She devoted herself to her entire family, nurturing, guiding, and inspiring two children and five grandchildren, and she cherished her pets. She loved history and was a longtime member of the D'Iberville Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. With her mother she researched our genealogy thirteen generations back to the Mayflower. She expressed love with food and was a talented cook. She was a gifted piano player and writer, having several poems and stories published. She loved animals, art, and nature. Her favorite place was Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

She is preceded in death by her parents above, husband Alvin Welford of Mobile, AL, sister Priscilla Underwood (Joe) Hendrix of Seattle, WA, aunts, uncles, and brothers-in-law Joe (Cammy) Hendrix of Seattle, WA and Dr. Mack (Nettie Alice) Welford of Salem, VA. She is survived by brother Wes Underwood of Denver, CO, brother-in-law Calvin (Judy) Welford of Grand Bay, AL, son Stephen Welford of Mobile, AL, daughter Laura Welford (Vincent) Santiago of Mobile, AL, grandchildren Sheldon Welford, Braylen Welford, Jasmine Welford, Isabella Santiago, and Dominic Santiago, all of Mobile, AL, nieces Beth Poff of Salem, VA, Julie Greenhill of Charlottesville, VA, Drs. Catherine (Nick) Varney of Charlottesville, VA, and Jennifer (Gil) Johnson of Elberta, AL, nephews Eric Underwood of Magnolia Springs, AL, Scott (Nikki) Hendrix of Vancouver, WA, Justin Hendrix of Salt Lake City, UT, and Jeffrey Welford of Grand Bay, AL, cousins, and other relatives. She was the matriarch of our family and will be dearly missed.

The family will receive friends at 11am on Friday, January 7, 2022 at Mobile Memorial Gardens Funeral Home at 6040 Three Notch Road in Mobile. Funeral services will be held at noon with burial following at Mobile Memorial Gardens Cemetery.