Joan Welsh, of Stuarts Draft, Virginia, passed away on December 28, 2025.

Joan was preceded in death by her parents, Lester and Betty Clark; her brother, Kenny Clark; her son, Kevin Bunting; and her very special aunt and uncle, Glen and Rosie Burbacher.

Joan was a member of St. John's the Evangelist Catholic Church and had a lifelong love of college football, especially the Ohio State Buckeyes. Saturdays were often spent watching College Game Day, fully invested from start to finish. Over the years, she attended multiple college bowl games, experiences she truly enjoyed. She was also a devoted Pittsburgh Steelers fan and followed them faithfully.

She had a remarkable green thumb and could grow just about anything. Her love of the outdoors extended to bird watching, where cardinals and woodpeckers were always her favorites and never failed to catch her eye.

Family was the center of Joan's life. Traditions mattered to her, and everyone knew that Easter and Thanksgiving were always held at Grandma's house. The yearly Easter dinner and egg hunt for the kids and grandkids was a highlight, as was Thanksgiving, where she made sure no one left hungry. Feeding people was one of the many ways she showed care and love—quietly, consistently, and without expectation. Her favorite saying, "We had a good time here for a little while," reflected how she looked at life—with gratitude for the moments that mattered and the people who shared them.

Joan will be deeply missed by her family and all who knew her, but the traditions she created, the care she gave, and the memories made around her table will live on.

She is survived by her husband of 54 years, Charles Welsh. She is also survived by her children, Swanna (Ron) Henderson, Dietta (Jeff) Leedy, Rick (Debby) Bunting, and Cama (Vince) Pici; and her stepchildren, Bruce (Rita) Welsh and Susan Sneddon. She is further survived by 14 grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.

The family would like to extend their sincere gratitude to Shenandoah House Hospice Care, as well as her doctor and nurses, for their compassionate care and support.

A Funeral Mass will be held 11:00 a.m. Monday January 5th, 2026 at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church officiated by Father Tom Collins. A reception will held after the Funeral Mass. The family will receive friends one hour prior to Mass.

Condolences to the family can be made to mcdowfuneralhomeinc.com.