Donald Neal Welborn
January 7, 1937 ~ September 23, 2024
Born in:
Oak Hill, WV
Resided in:
Asheville, NC
Donald Neal Welborn passed from this earth to heaven on Monday, September 23, 2024, at the age of 87.
He was born January 7, 1937, in Oak Hill, West Virginia, the son of the late Dora Shepherd Welborn and Rex Welborn.
Don is survived by his wife of 60 years, Kayla Kerbs Welborn, a son, Donald Burton Welborn, a granddaughter, Emily Gail Welborn, a sister Barbara Riffle, a niece Roxanne Platt (Marshall), and a nephew Daniel Paul Scarola. He was preceded in death by a brother, Leonard.
Don attended Collins High School in Oak Hill. His senior year in high school he directed the senior choir every Friday. He graduated from Shenandoah Conservatory of Music in Dayton, Virginia. Don shared his love of music with every one he met.
After six months as Minister of Music at Central Methodist Church in Canton, NC, he was drafted and went into the Air Force. After basic training at Lackland in Texas, he auditioned and became soloist with the Strategic Air Command Band in Bellevue, Nebraska. Shortly after Don became director of the Strategic Air Command Chorus. For four years he directed the Chorus in the US, Europe, Canada, and Puerto Rico.
While in the Air Force Don directed the rehearsal and Sunday choir when he was in town at St. James Methodist Church in Bellevue, Nebraska. After four years in the Air Force, Don went to Southern Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky. He graduated with a Master of Sacred Music Degree in 1969. While in Seminary, Don served as Minister of Music at Highview Baptist Church in Louisville.
In 1969 Don became Minister of Music at Calvary Baptist Church in Asheville, NC, where he served for 43 years. He shared his love of music with the congregation, childrens’ choir, youth choir, adult choir, handbell choir, small group singers, and at workshops in Western North Carolina. He also led many programs and music presentations at Calvary Church. Don enjoyed teaching voice lessons to anyone who wanted them.
He served a year as state president of North Carolina’s Baptist Music Department, and he sang as a member of The Singing Churchmen. Don enjoyed teaching a Sunday School class where they studied each of the books of the Old and New Testaments.
After retiring from Calvary Church, Don served a year as Minister of Music at Buckeye Baptist Church in Swannanoa, NC
Before each of the music presentations, Don would say to the singers, “This is for The Master.” Don’s love of the Lord and his love of music will be greatly missed.
Our family appreciated the care Don received from the Veterans’ Home, Veterans’ Hospital, and their Home based primary care.
Our family wants to thank Pastor Rendell Hipps, the congregation of Calvary Church, Groce Funeral Home, and other dear friends for their loving support and contributions to the memorial service and many other kindnesses in remembrance of our precious Don “Mr D.”
The Celebration of Rev. Welborn’s life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, November 10, at Calvary Church. His family will receive friends for one hour prior to the service.
Services
Funeral Service: November 10, 2024 2:00 pm
Calvary Baptist Church, West Asheville
531 Haywood Road
Asheville, NC 28806
(828)253-7301
Visitation: November 10, 2024 1:00 pm
Calvary Baptist Church, West Asheville
531 Haywood Road
Asheville, NC 28806
(828)253-7301
Burial:
Green Hills Cemetery
25 New Leicester Hwy.
Asheville, NC 28806
(828)252-9831
How very blessed we were to have served in the music program
under the direction of Don for many years. He always made it a pleasure to serve our Lord.
I remember Don Welborn well from years ago at West Asheville Baptist Church where I was in the Adult Choir there and also directed a Children’s Choir. From time to time Calvary and West Asheville would “get together” to have a beautiful music program. Don Welborn was such a gentleman and Godly man. Thank you, Don, for enriching our lives with your music. My condolences to Mrs. Welborn. Priscilla Rice Morgan
My father, Rev JW Braxton, hired Don at Canton Central UMC and he immediately became part of our family. After church on almost every Sunday, Don climbed the 50+ steps to the parsonage with us for lunch. Lunch was usually fried chicken with rice and gravy, but not for Don. He ate his rice in a bowl with milk like other cereals. We sang the Doxology in 4 parts and the memory of those joyful meals will always bring a smile. He was truly loved.
Kayla and DB please know that you are in my thoughts and my prayers. I loved Don and always felt like I could go to him with anything and he wouldn’t judge but would listen and pray with me. He was a wonderful blessing to all who ever came in contact with him. 🙏
Don was such a good friend to my mom, Mary Sue Hawkins, as well as her partner in singing duets on so many occasions. A wonderful man! Hoping you can feel God’s peace and comfort for Don’s well-lived life!
Kayla, how blessed Randy and I were to have known Don. Randy and Don are now enjoying singing praises to God in heaven! I pray that God will give you precious memories at just the right times. Love and prayers!