of Roland, AR

January 15, 1948 - April 7, 2025

Paula Jane Jackson Welch

Paula Jane Jackson Welch was born January 15, 1948, in Frederick, Okla., to Wayne and Alice (Martin) Jackson. In 1949, at the age of one, she moved to Carnegie, Okla., where she grew up and always called home. One of Paula's favorite proverbs was, ''Oklahoma born, Oklahoma bred & when I die, I'll be Oklahoma dead.''

In her teenage years, she married Fred Copus and had her first daughter, Laurie Ann. After moving to Dallas, Texas, she later remarried Les Herring and had her second daughter, Amy Leigh. After living in Oklahoma City for a few years, they moved to Little Rock, Ark., where she lived for the rest of her life. While in Little Rock, she met the love of her life. On June 15, 1990, she married Michael ''Mike'' Welch and gained another daughter, Tiffany Michelle.
Paula's career was in the insurance business. She worked as a claims adjuster, but it was her work as an arson investigator that made her well-known in the industry. That - was a highlight of Paula's career.

After retirement, she and Mike enjoyed the mountain view at their dream house in Roland, Ark. Paula's house was open to all, including the 'Preston Gang.' It was a vacation home for the grandchildren and great-grandchildren, whom she loved cooking for, and she was an outstanding cook. Her home was host to family reunions, cookouts, barbecues or if you just wanted to drop by and say, ''Hi.'' Paula loved being a good host, and it was only one feature of her bubbly, gleeful and creative personality.

Paula was as witty as she was hilarious. Her one-liners could rival some of the best stand-up comedians. But none were better than, ''Hey, Mike!'' And ''Larry, get out of the kitchen!'' She had an inside joke with everyone she loved and knew how to brighten their day.
She didn't have moves like Jagger or a voice like Madonna, but she was a rockstar in her own right. She loved her rock and roll music and going to concerts. She was an unofficially official certified jeweler. Ask anyone who ever got a gift from Paula, she loved her jewelry.
Paula is survived by her husband, Mike, and her children Laurie Baribeau, Amy Eden, and Charlie and Tiffany Vaughan. Her grandchildren, Ellie and Rowdy Baribeau, Britani and Rami Dajani, Coty and Ashley Dwyer, and Karrsyn Vaughan.
Her great-grandchildren, J.R., Laliah, Mia and Nora. She is also survived by her sister, Carol Ann Dwyer, brother, Richard M. Jackson, and a host of nieces and nephews.
And while they were not family by blood, the 'Preston Gang' were the sons she never had: Chuck, Drew, Greg, Jamie, John, Rob, Sammy, Sean, Sonny and Wally.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials may be Paula's name to Subiaco Academy, c/o Subiaco Academy Development Dept, 405 N Subiaco Avenue, Subiaco, AR 72865 or https://www.paypal.com/donate/?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=L5C24PGAKCAZL&source=url

Composed by: Rowdy Baribeau, grandson

Obituary Provided By:
Roller-Chenal Funeral Home
13801 Chenal Parkway
Little Rock, AR  72211
www.rollerfuneralhomes.com