Jennifer Lynn Welch, of Sugar Land, Texas, passed away on February 6, 2025, at the age of 53, after a courageous fight against cancer.
She was born on July 5, 1971, in Daytona Beach, Florida, to Tom Welch and LeAnn Welch McGinnis.
In 1980, when Jennifer was in the 3rd grade, her family relocated to Missouri City, Texas. She attended Lantern Lane Elementary School where she met her first lifelong friends, Jennifer Davison Carter and Connie Molloy Guthrie.
Jennifer was also a member of the John Foster Dulles High School, class of 1989, where she met one of her bestest friends, Alicia Zirkle.
Jennifer made friends wherever she went – from elementary school, through high school and throughout her adult life. She treasured her “old” friends and cherished the new. Through their sons she met Betsy Reimers, who has been her dear friend for over 25 years. Jennifer’s friends were blessed by her compassion, kindness, thoughtfulness, and sense of humor.
She was and will forever be known by her friends as the “Yahtzee Queen.” She enjoyed all kinds of games, including cribbage
and backgammon. Her favorite activities were playing bingo, bunco, and darts with her girlfriends.
Her other interests included camping, hanging out by the pool, and watching football. She was an avid fan of the Houston Texans and former Oiler Earl Campbell. Jennifer was an amazing cook and loved coming up with new recipes. She was known for her chili, tamales, deviled eggs, and corned beef & cabbage.
In 2002, Jennifer was baptized and became a member of Fishers of Men Lutheran Church, Missouri Synod.
She was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution.
Jennifer loved her children, Ryan Matthews and Rachel Rys, with all her heart. She was so proud of them. In the spring of 2024, she attended Ryan & Kaleia’s wedding at Disney World and Rachel’s graduation from the University of Houston.
Jennifer had her paralegal certificate and worked for an attorney. She also worked at CME Printing with the Davison Family for several years until her illness forced her to stay home.
Jennifer loved traveling and went to many places in the United States. She enjoyed cruises, especially the one to Cuba. Her favorite trip was when she accompanied her daughter, Rachel, to Rome before Rachel set sail on “Semester at Sea”. This fulfilled Jennifer’s lifelong dream of visiting Italy.
Her survivors include her children Ryan Matthews and Rachel Rys, daughter-in-law Kaleia Marsden, mother LeAnn McGinnis, father Tom Welch and step-mother Judy Welch, sister Laura Hilbun, and niece Jenna Hilbun. She is survived by many step-siblings, Jimmy and Monta, Joe, Danny and Courtney Henry, Michael and Cindy McGinnis, Michelle and Mark Sanderson, and Melissa and Jerry Parker. Special nephew and niece Alec and Shelby Rys whom she helped raise. There are also numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts, uncles, and extended family members.
Jennifer is preceded in death by her step-father, Michael J. McGinnis, Sr., brother-in-law Bruce Hilbun, step-nephew, Cpl. Bill Amundson, and best friend Michell Robotham.
A funeral service will be held on Friday, February 21st, at 11am at Fishers of Men Lutheran Church,
2011 Austin Pkwy., Sugar Land, TX, 77479.
Officiated by Rev. Chuck Ridley.
Interment will be at the Bluejacket Cemetery, Bluejacket, Oklahoma.
Guest Book
Sign Guestbook