Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Welch,Tucker Are Top Democrats

Two Gurdon residents have been selected as 'Democrat of the year' at the annual Democratic Clinton Day dinner in Arkadelphia Saturday.

Fay Tucker and Mildred Welch have served the Democratic Party in southern Clark County for a total of 53 years.

Sam Reynolds, the father of the two sisters was a central committeeman in the community of Red Springs and then in Gurdon General when the two consolidated, serving from 1930-1970. He taught his daughters to be active and interested in local, state and national government.

When Reynolds' health failed in 1970, Mrs. Welch resumed her father's duties as committeeman in Gurdon General with Mrs. Tucker becoming a central committeeman for the city of Gurdon in 1973.

Welch was selected state chairman of Clark County in 1982, and served as a representative at the Democrat State Convention. She continued to serve until 1990.

Tucker attended the state convention from 1982-1990 as a Clark County committeeman. She is presently serving on the executive committee of the Clark County Democratic convention.

Tucker is the widow of Riley Lee Tucker. She is a homemaker and the mother of two children, Rita Stricklin of Gurdon and Ray Tucker of Springs, Texas.

Welch is the widow of William Welch. She graduated from Henderson State Teachers College in 1950 and received her master's degree in 1960 from HSU. She taught science in the Gurdon Public Schools for 36 years, retiring in 1982.

When asked why they were supporters of the Democrat party, Tucker said, "I am a Yellow Dog Democrat all the way." She believes in the party and supports the Democrats with her time and money. Welch said, "I was born into the Democrat party and been a Democrat all my life. I feel it represents the people rule."

Welch has served as committeeman for 28 and Tucker has 25 years of service.