Patricia Rosella Welker, of Columbia, was born on April 23, 1954, in Maries County, a daughter of Jessie Donald and Alma Virginia (Blackwell) McKinnon, and departed this life at 7:00 p.m., on Sunday, January 26, 2014, in the University of Missouri Hospital and Clinics, Columbia. Patricia had attained the age of 59 years, 9 months, and 3 days.

Patricia was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, James Richard McKinnon and Donald Leroy McKinnon; and one sister, Elsie Mae Qattawona.

Patricia was baptized early in life and professed her faith daily. She especially enjoyed all interactions and activities with her grandson, Coda, especially when they watched movies together. Patricia had worked as a childcare provider for eleven years at a private day care center in Columbia; for five years at the University of Missouri, Columbia, in the student dining area; and was a devoted homemaker for her children as well as being the rock and foundation for her entire family.

Those left to mourn the passing of Patricia include: one son and daughter-in-law, Leslie Donald Welker and wife, Karolyn, Columbia; one daughter, Amie Welker-Burke and husband, Roger, Columbia; one grandson, Coda Burke; one brother, Ricky Lynn McKinnon, Rolla; six sisters, Mary Lee Sneed, Dixon; Ruth Elizabeth Denton, Rolla; Vivian Alice Rowe, state of Maine; Ina Virginia Kleffner, St. Louis; Kathy Jane Addington, Birmingham, Alabama; and Beverly Sue Wilson, St. Louis; and many other relatives and friends.

Visitation will be 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Thursday, January 30, 2014, with a funeral service following, in the Dixon Chapel of the Birmingham-Martin Funeral Homes with Pastor Helen Winters, Seaton Faith Fellowship Church, Dixon, officiating.

Interment will be in the Seaton Cemetery, near Dixon, under the direction of the Dixon Chapel of the Birmingham-Martin Funeral Homes. Pallbearers for Patricia were Tim Rowe, Bill Addington, Bob Addington, Roger Burke, Bryan Peterson, and Dewayne Sneed. Honorary pallbearers were Coda Burke, Ricky McKinnon, and Reed Hickam.

Memorial contributions are suggested by the Welker Family to the Seaton Cemetery Perpetual Care Fund with envelopes available at the Dixon Office of the Birmingham-Martin Funeral Homes.