Susan Leigh Culpepper Welch

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, September 23, 2026, at Billy M. King-Colonial Chapel Funeral Home in Collins for Susan Leigh Culpepper Welch, 73 of Ocean Springs, and formerly of Seminary, who peacefully passed away on Thursday, September 17, 2026, at the Ocean Springs Hospital surrounded by her loving family.

Dr. Barry Armstrong will officiate at the services with interment to follow in the Union South Baptist Church Cemetery in Seminary. Special music will be provided by Mr. Noah Sanford and Mr. Kerry Kelly. Billy M. King-Colonial Chapel Funeral Home in Collins will be in charge of the arrangements

The family will receive friends from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, September 23, 2026, at Billy M. King-Colonial Chapel Funeral Home, 3202 Highway 49, Collins, Mississippi, 39428.

Her pallbearers will be Rawls Hemeter, John David Welch, Wayne Folkes, Kelly McKenzie, Kerry Kelly, Bobby Kelly, and Justin Welch.

Susan was born on September 20, 1952, in Collins, Mississippi to C.L. “Tobe” and Margie Kelly Culpepper. She was a graduate of Seminary High School Class of 1970, Jones County Junior College, and earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from the University of Southern Mississippi. Susan retired from the Covington County School System after twenty-nine years of service as an educator. She was a devoted educator whose kindness, wisdom, and encouragement touched the lives of many students throughout her career. Susan was a member of the First Baptist Church of Biloxi. She served with compassion, humility, and unwavering love for the Lord. Her gentle spirit, caring heart, and dedication to others will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered.

Susan was a caring wife, and a loving mother and Nana who cherished spending time with her family. She was a constant source of love, strength, and encouragement, always offering a listening ear, a warm embrace, and words of wisdom. Susan was also a cherished member of the “Cronies,” a close-knit group of friends who traveled and shared many memorable visits and adventures together

She was preceded in death by her parents, C.L. “Tobe” and Margie Kelly Culpepper.

Survivors include her husband of seventeen years, Don Welch of Ocean Springs; three sons, Jason Hemeter (Jamey) and John Hemeter, all of Seminary, and Justin Welch (Kari) of Van Cleave; six grandchildren, Abby Grace Hemeter, Rawls Hemeter, Azzie Lee Hemeter, Memphis Lee Welch, Aubree Seymour, and Austin Seymour; and a host of other family members and friends.

Family members and friends may sign an online guestbook at www.billymkingcolonialchapel.com