Mercedes Jane Welch

Mercedes, best known as “Mercy”, was born to Mortimer Pierre and Golden Durene Hardy in 1946 in Pasadena, TX. Mercy had an older sister, Olivia Kay and a younger brother, Robert Charles whom she loved dearly.

Mercy was fortunate in being able to spend her entire childhood attending school in Pasadena. Enabling her to cultivate lifelong friendships that lasted for over 70 years. Mercy lived up to her moniker. She was a kind, generous, beautiful, and very intelligent woman who had a memory like an elephant. She was such fun to be with and made every moment count.

Mercy became a mother not too long into her adult life having two remarkable children, Dawn Renee, and Christopher Shawn, whom she raised in Longview TX with Deo Welch. After being a devoted mother, she was off to new adventures!!

As an empty nester, she was blessed to spend over 15 years living in the Netherlands and traveling the world tasting the finer things in life. She was such a social butterfly everywhere she went, and never met a stranger. Most of her friendships lasted the test of time, because Mercy was known as a faithful, loyal friend to old and new ones alike. Even while she was abroad, she took the time to stay connected to her friends back here in the states. Of course, once she came back to the states, Mercy never forgot her dear friends on the other side of the world, writing and calling them often.

As much as Mercy loved being overseas, she deeply enjoyed spending her life being the doting “Nana” to her two precious granddaughters: Isabella Kate and Ava Grace. She often reflected on how “Grand” life was with Bella and Ava being here with them. We would be remiss if we did not mention she was an avid animal lover and a fan of ALL Houston sports teams.

Mercy is preceded in death by her father, Mortimer Hardy; mother and stepfather: Golden and Douglas Broach; brother, Robert Hardy and sister, Olivia Crouch.

Mercy is survived by her daughter, Dawn Martin and husband, Josh; son, Christopher Stanley and wife, Katherine; granddaughters: Bella and Ava; brother-in-law, Wayne Crouch and nephew Daniel Crouch and Meredith as well as many cousins and lifelong friend, Carol Miller.

Graveside service will be held on Saturday, October 28, 2023 starting at 12pm located at Forest Park Lawndale Cemetery (6900 Lawndale St. Houston, TX). A Celebration of Life get-together will follow immediately after the graveside service at the home of Mercy’s brother-in-law, Wayne Crouch (11907 Park Meadow Ct. Houston, TX 77089). Light lunch will be provided.

Memorial contributions may be made to The Humane Society of The United States in Mercy’s name. http://www.humanesociety.org/