De-Wanna Welch

A Phenomenal Woman, Mother, Grandmother, Sister, Friend and Daughter of the late Maurice Dukes and Betty Sue Welch Dukes was born on March 8, 1970, in Jackson, Mississippi. De-Wanna, affectionately known as “Dink” to most and “Dinka” to some, reunited with her parents in the glory of Heaven as she made her eternal transition on June 12, 2026, while on vacation in Virginis Beach with her best friend, college sweetheart, fiancé, and love of her life, Anthony “Joe” Miller. De-Wanna graduated from Harrisburg High School - William Penn Campus, Class of 1988, where she was a member of the Harrisburg High School Cougars Cheerleading Squad. De-Wanna received her Bachelor of Applied Science Degree in Business Administration and Management from Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP) in 1992. De-Wanna was a proud member of the Honorary Female Organization “Omega Pearl”. De-Wanna held various administrative roles and took pride in giving others an opportunity to mentor the next generation and improve the trucking and freight industry. De-Wanna’s resume spanned 35 years of employment, including Operations Performance Manager at Yellow Company, Terminal Training Supervisor, Regional OS&D Coordinator at Conway Trucking, Dispatch Clerk at Forward Air Freight, and her beloved position as Regional Customer Quality Manager at Saia Inc. “Dink” was unapologetically bold and empowering, with an outgoing spirit and a willingness to live life on her own terms. Whether it be in another state, another country, an island, or simply cruising the ocean. “Dink” had 56 years of life and thousands of miles of living. No vacation was too small or too big for Dink; all she needed was a date, a time, and a place, and she was there with a suitcase and passport in hand. De-Wanna leaves to cherish her beautiful memories, her firstborn son, Dareian Young, daughter, Dawnyae Hilliard, baby boy Andre Hilliard, sister Miranda Welch-Epps, brother Christopher Welch Sr., and, growing up in the same Berryhill Street household, her sisterly love was extended to Tamatha “Granny”, Denise and Patricia Welch, Gloria “Nook” Wallace, and God-Sister Angel Fox. Her proudest moment was being a grandmother to JaDari Sweet (her mini-me), Rylan Gilmore, Azira Johnson, Peyton Cephas, Daquan Jones Jr., Jaquan Jones, and Dallas Boyce. Stepdaughter Mya Johnson and God-daughter Jada Smith. Nieces Jassmone, Asya & Mya Epps & Chanel Shaw. Nephews Christopher (CJ) Welch Jr., Antoine McLamb, and great nephew Makyi Andre Wright (Lil Bug). Maternal Aunts Betty Jo Fox, Jean Wilson, and Rose Johnson. Paternal Aunt Eula Dukes-Blizzard. Best friend and loyal Omega Pearl Sister Tracy Scott and a host of extended family members, friends, and co-workers. Dink's insatiable laughter and contagious smile will forever be embedded in our hearts. To know her was to love her. Her life was a blessing, her memory a treasure, loved beyond words and missed beyond measure. The trip may end here, but the memories travel with us forever. FAMILY AND FRIENDS ARE ENCOURAGED TO CLICK ON THE SHARE A MEMORY TAB TO POST VIDEOS, SHARE MEMORIES, CONDOLENCES, REFLECTIONS, OR SIMPLY LEAVE YOUR NAME. Flower delivery, 8:30 a.m., Saturday, June 27, at WFD.

Tributes

De-Wanna Welch

March 8, 1970 - June 12, 2026