A celebration of life for Mr. Berkeley K. Welch of Niagara Falls, New York, 52, will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, September 23, 2021, at Africa Church Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 1-7 p.m. on Wednesday, September 23, 2021, at the funeral home.

Mr. Berkeley K. Welch began his life’s journey on November 26, 1968, the union of Pastor Bobby James and Mrs. Maggie Jenkins Welch. He was the second child of three.

Mr. Welch joined Africa Missionary Baptist church at a young age and remained a member until his passing. Berkeley attended school in Talladega County before relocating to Detroit, Michigan where he became a member of the 1986 graduating class of Mumford High School. After graduating, he enrolled and graduated in 1988 graduated from Henry Ford Academy: School for Creative Studies. He loved singing, composing music and playing the piano. He loved children. His nieces and nephews brought him much joy. He was known to fix bikes for the neighborhood children and was gifted with the ability to build things.

Berkeley had taken to the nickname of “Nationwide” because of his travels and the numerous cities he lived in throughout the continental United States.

On Wednesday, September 15, 2021, as Berkeley rested peacefully at home, the Lord called him to rest eternally. In his final trip back to Alabama, it was befitting that “Nationwide” was carried across the country making stops in Chicago and Denver before reaching his final destination. He was preceded in passing by his grandparents.

Berkeley leaves beautiful memories to be cherished by: his loving parents, Pastor Bobby James and Maggie J. Welch; one brother, Bobby R. (Alice) Welch; two sisters, Melody (Algernon) Thomas and LaWanda (Cedric) Stamps; three children, Briquell S. Welch of Southfield, Michigan, Derrius Garrett of Talladega, Alabama and Ashley E. Bivins of Niagara Falls, New York; devoted cousins, TiAndra Griffin, Paul Cook and Nareace Henly; best friends, Charles Lattimore, Melissa Turner and Dexter Welch; two grandchildren; and a host of uncles, aunts, nieces and nephews.