Nancy Routh Welborn

Nancy Elizabeth Routh Welborn passed away March 8, 2024, at Brookdale Assisted Living in Asheboro. She was 97 years old. 

Nancy was born in Franklinville to Pearle Lee Burke and Ernest Clyde Routh. She was the eldest of three children and loved her brothers dearly.

She graduated from Franklinville High School in 1944. In 1948, she married her husband, Charles Hardee Welborn, from Ramseur.

Nancy was passionate about education and dedicated her life to the local school system. After earning her Associate of Arts degree from Brevard College, she began her career as a 5th grade teacher at Balfour Elementary School. For the next six summers, Nancy would attend High Point University to earn her Bachelor of Arts degree. 

Nancy taught for 40 years until retirement, then worked as a substitute teacher for an additional 10 years. The majority of Nancy’s teaching career took place at Balfour Elementary School and Charles McCrary Elementary School, but she taught in both Randolph County and Lee County.

In addition to teaching, Nancy was a devoted member of the Alpha Upsilon chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma, a Society of women who work to promote excellence in education. Nancy was an active member for 59 years. She served as the local chapter’s 4th President and chaired the membership, leadership, professional affairs, scholarship, world fellowship, nominations, finance, and rules committees. Nancy also served as Regional Director and Chair of the State Initiation committee.

Nancy was a loyal member of First United Methodist Church, having served as both Secretary and Treasurer of the D.W. Holt Sunday School class. She was likewise a member of Circle #5. She greatly enjoyed volunteering through the church and fellowshipping with the other church members.

Nancy thoroughly enjoyed knitting, needlepoint, cross-stitch and sewing. She was a wonderful cook and baker. Nancy loved baking coconut cakes and chocolate chip cookies to share with friends and family. She was known as a sweet, selfless person who took pleasure in helping others.

Nancy is preceded in death by her parents, Pearl Lee Burke Routh and Ernest Clyde Routh; her husband, Charles Hardee Welborn; her two younger brothers, Edgar Burke Routh and Joe Sam Routh; and several members of the Welborn family.

She is survived by her loving nieces, Lisa Routh Meili (Mark) of Cincinnati, Ohio, and Tammy Renee Tweedlie (Tom) of West Chester, Ohio. She is also survived by 4 great nieces: Melodie Tweedlie Mow (Denton), Emily Ann Tweedlie, Mandy Katherine Tweedlie, and Julianna Grace Meili. She is survived by 1 great nephew, Alan Scott Meili.

The family will receive friends on Saturday, March 23, from 1-2:30 p.m. at Pugh Funeral Home, 437 Sunset Avenue, Asheboro, 27203. A funeral service for Nancy will follow at 2:30 p.m. in the funeral home chapel with Rev. Lynda Ferguson officiating. Burial will take place in Oaklawn Cemetery, 737 Albemarle Road, Asheboro, NC 27203.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Nancy’s honor to:

— First United Methodist Church of Asheboro, 224 N. Fayetteville Street, Asheboro, NC 27203.

— Alpha Upsilon chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma for the International Grant in Aid Fund; donations can be made to the Donna Lee Loflin fund which is a grant in aid for ladies wishing to enter the field of education. This is sponsored by the Alpha Upsilon and Delta Nu chapters of Delta Kappa Gamma. 2378 Mountain Lake Road, Asheboro, NC 27205.

Pugh Funeral Home in Asheboro is serving the Welborn family.