Lenard George Welch, Jr., age 81, of McCaysville, passed away on Tuesday, March 14, 2017 in Blue Ridge, GA. Born on February 23, 1936 in the Fry Community, he was the son of the late Lenard George Welch, Sr. and Juanita Lewis Welch. He was a member of Mobile Baptist Church. He worked as a local mechanic within the community for many years. He is preceded in death by his parents; wife, Anna Louise Suits Welch; and infant son, Jeffrey Welch.

He is survived by son and daughter-in-law, Eric and Julie Welch of McCaysville; son, Rodney Welch of McCaysville; granddaughter, Tori Welch; brother, Gene Welch of Dalton; brother and sister-in-law, Roger and Barbara Welch of Tunnel Hill; sister and brother-in-law, Joan and Jim Guile of Andrews, NC; and companion, Bobbie Jo Dyer.

Funeral services will be conducted on Friday, March 17, 2017, at 2:00 pm from Akins Funeral Home of Blue Ridge Chapel. Rev. Larry Stover and Rev. Don Hood will officiate. Interment will follow in the Mobile Baptist Church Cemetery. Drew Deaver, Ryan Deaver, Randall McGill, David Franklin, Mark Burger, and Robbie Mathis will serve as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be Jackie Huffman, Hoyt Payne, and Kenneth Patterson. The family will visit with friends at the funeral home on Thursday evening from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm. Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.akinsfuneralhome.com. Akins Funeral Home of Blue Ridge is in charge of the arrangements.