Raymond Eugene Weldon

Raymond Weldon, 87, of China Spring, passed away Sunday, April 30, 2023 at his home in China Spring surrounded by family.

Visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, May 6, at Columbus Avenue Baptist Church in Waco followed by a memorial celebration service at 11:00 a.m. at Columbus Avenue Baptist Church in Waco with Rev. Ron Durham and Rev. Josh Vaughn officiating.

Raymond was born in Sayre, Alabama to William Claude Weldon and Willie Mae Vickery Weldon. He attended elementary and junior high school at Adamsville, Alabama and then completed high school at Phillips High School in Birmingham. He began his undergraduate studies at Baylor University in 1954.

Upon receiving his B.S. degree in 1958, he began his graduate studies and received his M.S. degree in 1959. Raymond was hired in the Fall of 1958 by Waco I.S.D. to teach 5th grade at South Waco Elementary School. He quickly moved into an assistant principal then principal position at South Waco Elementary. He was selected to open Viking Hills Elementary that he led for many years before moving to Mountainview Elementary as the principal. Raymond Weldon served a total of 42 years for Waco I.S.D. Raymond’s professional involvement included leadership in several organizations, such as Waco Education for Childhood Education (ACE), Waco Classroom Teachers Association, Texas State Teachers Association, Waco I.S.D. Planning Council and National Educators Association. He has been a member of Seventh and James Baptist Church and a member of the Masonic Lodge in Waco. He has provided leadership on the credit committee for Educators’ Federal Credit union. For over 50 years, Raymond and his family have been members of Columbus Avenue Baptist Church – again providing leadership on many committees. During his retirement, he drove the bus for the Neighbors International Program at Columbus Avenue. His interests included all things Baylor and Waco, geology, rock and fossil collecting, yard work, American history, travel, reading, photography and bird watching. And those squirrels better not eat the birdseed that he put out in the yard and driveway. Raymond has been a faithful Christian believer, an amazing husband, a father who was a positive role model, and a provider and loving guide for his family. He extended his love of people through his advocacy and service for school children, leadership at church and other organizations that impacted his community.

Raymond was preceded in death by his parents, William Claude and Willie Mae Weldon; his brother, William Weldon; his daughter, Deborah Denise Weldon; and granddaughter, Ellison Leigh Lindsey.

Raymond is survived by his loving wife, Glenda Bradford Weldon; his son, Don Raymond Weldon; his daughters, Jana Gaffney and her husband, Patrick Gaffney, Kendra Lindsey and her husband, Rod Lindsey, and Laurel Churchman and her husband, Paul Churchman. He is also survived by his grandchildren – Jeremy Goss, Brian Garrett, Brittney Lilley, Jamie Weldon, Audrey Hackett, Samuel Lindsey and his wife, Alexis, Magness Lindsey, Marin Lindsey, Nathan Churchman and Wyatt Churchman. He has three beautiful great-grandchildren – Rosalyn Ellison Lindsey, Jessica Lilley and Cody Lilley. Raymond is also survived by his nieces, Cindy Weldon and Jennifer Bennett, and a nephew Chip Weldon.

Memorial contributions can be made to Columbus Avenue Baptist Church in Waco.

The family wishes to convey appreciation to the staff of Baylor Scott and White Health Hospice, Dr. Turnage, Lisa Johnson and others who provided loving care for Raymond Weldon.