Christella Roberta Townsell Welton passed away peacefully on April 29, 2023, at Truman Medical Center East Long Term Nursing Facility, at the age of 102 years. Mrs. Welton was born January 31, 1921, to Daniel and Willie Townsell in Okmulgee County Oklahoma. She was the oldest of 10 children. She was preceded in death by her parents, four sisters; Jessie Campbell, Arlene Steverson, Wilma Gray, Vesta Fleming and four brothers; Daniel Townsell, Jr., Samuel Townsell, Leo Townsell and Alonzo Townsell.

Christella Welton and family moved to Redbird, Oklahoma in 1924 where she grew up and graduated from Miller Washington High School. In 1942, Mrs. Welton and only child, Wendell Marshall, moved to Kansas City, Missouri where she met and later united in marriage to Bruce J. Welton for 19 years. She was employed for 15 years at the California Dice Factory and nine years at the Rival Manufacturing Company in the Quality Control Department. She also was a member of the Machinist Union until she retired at the age of 55.

Christella accepted Christ as her personal Lord and Savior at an early age. She and her son attended Catholic Services in Kansas City, Missouri until she and her husband became members at Southeast Presbyterian Church in 1962. She was one of the first women elected to an elder's role and served two sessions. Mrs. Welton taught Sunday School for the youth and adult classes. She also was elected president of the Women of the Church organization twice before the church merger with Linwood United Church. During the interim of the merger, Christella organized a Women's Saturday Bible Study group which the ladies very much appreciated and enjoyed.

Mrs. Welton had a passion for helping others. She joined the Colored Women's Association Kansas City Chapter and later held the position as president. She later joined the Missouri State Association of Colored Women where she exemplified such great leadership she was nominated for the role as president, for which she declined. As a member of the association, she directed a girls' club where guidance and mentoring were part of the curriculum. Christella has a passion for mentoring/helping children and for 17 years she opened her home as a foster mother to over 130 children. She stated, "Those were the most rewarding years of my life, although, I did not know how children could be so misused. We cried, prayed and laughed a lot together."

Christella leaves to cherish her memories: one son, Wendell Marshall (Marilyn); three grandchildren, Phillip, Reginald, and Anthony (Chanel); five great grandchildren, Jada, Jasmine, JaiNicole, JadaRose, and Jaxon; one sister, Gertrude Coffey; and a host of nieces, nephews, foster children and friends. Also, her special family friends Barbara Walker, healthcare provider Brandy Words. Special thanks to her niece Trenia Fleming and Geneva Coleman, her church shepherd.

Thoughtful care and services provided by E. S. Eley & Sons Funeral Chapel, Inc .