Kathy Ann (Bryan) Weldon

April 17, 1957 - January 24, 2021

Kathy Weldon, born April 17, 1957, Kathy Ann Bryan, possessed an adventurous spirit. Whether riding bikes in the San Bernardino Valley of California, fishing in the lakes and rivers of Indiana, or snorkeling with tropical fish in the Caribbean, Kathy was always looking for the next great adventure. Her love of outdoor adventures led her to the love of science she would be best known for. Evident in Kathy’s youth when she won prizes for her meticulously labeled butterfly collection, her love of science flourished throughout her lifetime. After her children were old enough to attend school, Kathy returned to education, earning a bachelor’s degree in Laboratory Sciences from Missouri State University and a master’s degree in Health Sciences from Rutger’s University in 2013. Having been unable to walk in her bachelor’s graduation, walking across the stage of Rutger’s in New Jersey was one of her proudest moments. Kathy worked in small town hospital labs for nearly 30 years, most recently at Salem Memorial District Hospital. She often found herself leading science demonstrations in the local public schools, once teaching children what it was like to draw blood by creating a make-shift practice arm, running rubber tubing through a towel, wrapped around a 2-liter bottle. She gave back to her community in so many ways, serving for years as a Girl Scout troop leader and raising thousands of dollars for Relay for Life. In her role managing the lab at Salem Memorial, Kathy continuously sought to create public health initiatives. She organized public health fairs that allowed hundreds of people to receive basic health screenings and wrote health-based articles for The Salem News. Kathy still loved to fish, especially while floating the Ozarks riverways. She was an avid crafter and enjoyed hosting holiday gatherings where she would help the entire extended family decorate gingerbread houses. Kathy was very competitive, and her excitement when winning at spades or ping pong was contagious. But her favorite days of all were the ones she spent with her grandchildren. Kathy loved going to Summersville to cheer on Scott, Sophie, and Maci in their various sports, including basketball, volleyball or cheer. She shared many interests with KC and Kinlea, including Star Wars, LEGO sets, and science projects, always finding just the right book or project to pique their curiosity. She treasured her chances to see Mac’s new art project or to cheer on Kaitlyn running cross country. She flew to Utah multiple times a year to have adventures with Tessa, Ashley, Lydia, and Heidi, which ranged from hiking in St George to kayaking at the local ponds to crafting and painting the day away. Kathy retired last year to spend more time with her loving husband, Randy Weldon; her children, Jeremy Haynes, Laura and Kirk Johnson, and Janell and Don Haynes-Hughes; step-children Krista and Clint Culbertson and Aimee and Josh Campbell; and her 11 grandchildren. Kathy was predeceased by her mother and father, Armatha and William Bryan, and her brother Scott Bryan. She has four surviving siblings, Jody Wilson, Rance Bryan, Irene Bishop and Al Warnock. Kathy passed away on January 24, 2021, due to Covid-19 complications. Funeral Services for Kathy Ann (Bryan) Weldon were held Thursday, January 28, 2021 in the Wilson Mortuary Salem Chapel with Donna Clark officiating. Special memories were shared by Cheryl Shorey and Jeremy Haynes. Song selections played were “Ring of Fire” and “You Raise Me Up”. Arrangements were under the direction of Wilson Mortuary of Salem, Missouri. Memorial Contributions may be made in memory of Kathy Ann Weldon to the Salem Memorial District Hospital Foundation and left at Wilson Mortuary. Online condolences may be entered at wilsonmortuary.com