The worst storm in Macon County history was followed just two days later on Thursday, February 7 by a six-vehicle accident on Hwy. 52-west which tragically killed Lafayette United Methodist Church Pastor Michael Welch, 52, his wife, Julie, 45, and their two young children, son Jesse, age 14 and daughter Hannah, age 11.
The Welch family was traveling toward Lafayette, after devoting time to relief work with Tuesday night's storm victims, when their Honda van was crushed between two tractor trailer rigs in a six-vehicle chain reaction smash up, which occurred at about 2:15 p.m.
Doug Becker, 46, and his wife. Diane Becker, 43, were seriously injured in the same accident, but were traveling separately in a Chevy pickup truck at the time of the incident. Becker and his wife were reported to be in a Trauma unit at Vanderbilt University Medical Center Friday, but the couple's injuries were described by a member of their church as "not life threatening."
According to a preliminary THP accident investigation report, a line of vehicles was stopped in the eastbound lane "due to heavy traffic" traveling through a tornado damage zone near Lafayette when a fully loaded Wal-Mart semi-tractor driven by Gerald Judd, 51, Horse Cave, KY, struck the Welch's van in the rear. The Welch family vehicle then crashed into a pickup truck driven by Doug Becker, which in turn struck an empty semi-truck driven by Jerry Gilbert, 30, London, KY.
The Becker's pickup was knocked off onto the grassy shoulder on the south side of the road, with the injured couple pinned inside.
Two additional vehicles were involved in the accident but injuries were minor and the drivers and passengers and their vehicles came to a rest on the westbound side of the highway in the emergency lane off the actual roadway.
Pastor Michael Welch and his family suffered fatal injuries at the scene. The family's Honda van came to a rest between a jack-knifed empty semi-truck and the full Wal-Mart truck in the eastbound emergency lane. The Becker vehicle had been rammed into a Volvo semi-truck driven by Jerry Gilbert, 30, London, KY.
The road was blocked to east-west traffic for several hours Thursday afternoon. THP Capt. Vic Donoho, a veteran trooper and a native of Macon County, said it was the worst traffic accident he had seen in his 20 year career.
Former Lafayette Methodist Church Pastor Amanda Diamond came to Lafayette, along with Methodist Church district superintendent Ron Lowery, to comfort parishioners.
Rev. Amanda Diamond preceded Pastor Welch at the Lafayette Methodist Church on Bratton Avenue, and she preached the regular Worship Service this Sunday.
‘A Celebration of Life' was held Tuesday for Methodist Pastor Michael Welch and family.
Visitation with the family of the late Pastor Michael Welch, his wife Julie, and their young children, Hannah and Jesse, was held at the Lafayette United Methodist Church on Bratton Avenue from 4-until-8 p.m. Monday, February 11.
A "Celebration of Life" for the Welch family was conducted 10 a.m. Tuesday morning, February 12 at the Bratton Avenue church.
Methodist Bishop Richard Wills delivered the greeting, and testimony by several personal friends of the late Pastor Michael Welch and his family was given by local and visiting preachers, including Pastor Jeff Wilson, a long-time friend and colleague of Michael Welch.
EMOTIONAL CHURCH SERVICE THIS PAST SUNDAY
An emotionally drained congregation gathered at the Lafayette United Methodist Church Sunday morning, their pastor and his entire family tragically killed in a six-vehicle accident just three days before. But Rev. Amanda Diamond led an uplifted congregation into a spirit of celebration, concluded by the breaking of bread and a sharing of the sacraments with the entire membership.
The Sunday worship service was conducted by Rev. Diamond, who had preceded Welch at the Lafayette United Methodist Church.
Bishop Richard J. Willis also spoke, telling the packed sanctuary "...you had a special pastor and his family with you for four years--but you are not alone--we all stand with you in these difficult days. The circle that was broken today, will be reunited with God tomorrow."
Quoting from Jeremiah 29:11, "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future," Rev. Diamond also remembered Julie Welch saying to parishioners "we are to praise God in all circumstances!"
Earlier in the service, Pastor and friend Jeff Wilson has said "Michael was a country boy from Soddy Daisy...an incredible husband and father. His wife, Julie had a profound intimacy with God, and Michael gave her the opportunity to be all that she could be--as a couple and parents theirs was a journey of faith."
The text for Rev. Diamond sermon came from Matthew 5:14-16: "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a basket. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let you light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven."
Michael and Julie Welch, and their beautiful children, touched the hearts of all who knew them. "Our loss is Heavens gain. We will miss you!" read the sign in front of the Bratton Avenue Church.
For complete Welch family obituary information please see Section C, page 5.
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