August 25, 1935 - February 25, 2016

JoDell Anderson Welborn, of DeRidder, LA, received her promised reward, Thursday, February 25, 2016, the day of her homegoing.  She was an inspiration and spiritual mentor to thousands of friends and family members. JoDell, born in DeRidder on August, 25, 1935, was the firstborn of eleven children and the daughter of Walter Lee and Lillian Brown Anderson; her ten siblings regarded her as their nurturer and confidant.  She was raised in the home of her Aunt Flossie and Uncle Dewey Iles who loved and regarded her as their own.

JoDell graduated DeRidder High School, then began her work life with an accounting firm, and later was employed as bookkeeper for DeRidder Insurance Agency, Johnson’s bookkeeping and Accounting Services, and Hood Morris Insurance Agency.  Her career took on another dimension as she earned degrees in interior design from New York School of Design (1983) and Sheffield School of Interior Design (1986).  Furthermore, she later pursued her love for learning by attending Northwestern University after raising her family.

An intense interest in architecture led JoDell to design plans for businesses and homes.  She possessed an innate ability to understand and visualize a person’s description of their wished-for building, inside and out, and to translate that dream into a reality.  She designed Grace Church in DeRidder, transforming it from a grocery store into an efficient campus.  She planned and oversaw the construction and decorating of numerous other area commercial properties and homes, including her own family home which reflects the grace, warmth, and impeccable taste that she was admired for.

JoDell also possessed a life-long spirit of willingness and service to her church community.  For decades she served as director of multiple church choirs, Sunday School teacher, director of adult ministries, women’s ministry leader, and special events coordinator and decorator. She also served on the Board of Elders, and along with her husband, served as teaching pastors at Grace Church.  Always cognizant of what needed to be done in the church, she tackled necessary jobs and completed them with finesse and grace.

One of her main influences, among others, was her devotion to bible study and teaching.  Well-versed in theology, traditions, texts, and applications to daily lives, JoDell was a tenacious student and teacher.  She and her husband Bob, took church newcomers under their wing, and committed weeks of time and study to introduce them to scriptural doctrine and precepts.  Furthermore, she led many to read and understand passages in a meaningful, fresh way.  JoDell’s particular passion for Communion, led her to author and publish three communion devotional books; Remember Me I, II, and III.

Family members who preceded JoDell in death are her parents, Walter Lee and Lillian Brown Anderson; brothers, Jimmy, Donald, and Walter (Dub) Anderson; and her aunt and uncle, Flossie and Dewey Iles.  Those remaining to honor her legacy include her husband of 61 ½ years, Robert A. “Bob” Welborn; daughter, Karen Glass and husband George Lee; son, Kraig Welborn and wife Karlie; grandchildren; Dana Welborn, Steven Ross and Jessica;, Kari Midgett and husband Kenneth, and Lee Glass; great-grandchildren, Gabriella, Mia, Khi, Noah, Arielle,  Karaline  and Farrah .  Also surviving JoDell are her sisters, Wanda Niles, and Beverly Cagle; and brothers, Fred, Richard, Hershel, Steve, and Robbie Anderson.

Visitation will be held Saturday, February 27, 2016 from 5:00pm until 8:00pm at Grace Church in DeRidder, LA.  Funeral service will be Sunday, February 28, 2016 at 3:00pm at Grace Church.  Burial will be held at Hopewell Cemetery in DeRidder, LA.  Rev. George Lee Glass and Rev. Jimmy Glass will officiate.