The Church of the Bells

Jazz for the Soul: Honoring Women Veterans

Guest Speaker: Specialist Judy Mary Welch

Judith WelchJudy is a native of Buffalo, New York.  She was raised in a loving foster home with 6 other foster children by Leon and Gladys Clark.   Judy attended college at the State University of New York at Oneonta where she majored in theatre. 

In January 1984 she joined the U.S. Army as an E-3, Private First Class.  She attended Basic Training and her Advanced Individual Training (AIT) at Fort Jackson, South Carolina.  Judy scored 999 out of a possible 1000 points and was asked to teach the first 3 weeks of her MOS which was 75D, Personnel Records Specialist.  Unfortunately for the training instructors, she was assigned to the 261st Personnel Service Company in Heilbronn, West Germany. While stationed in Germany, Judy continued with acting and won her first award for “Best Supporting Actress” in the 7th Corp tournament of plays.  Judy was promoted to a Specialist (E-4) in January 1985 and later moved to Hampton, Virginia where she finished her reserve status working with the 88th Military Police Company.

Since leaving the Army, Judy continued working for several law firms in Chicago, Illinois and as a stage and commercial Actress.

Judy relocated to Los Angeles from Chicago, IL in August 2010 to further her career in the Entertainment Industry.  She is a member of the NAACP Beverly Hills Hollywood Branch and currently serves as one the Chairperson of the Military and Veteran Affairs committee.

She is the mother of 4 sons Jeffrey, Andre, Timothy, Chris and a Glamma to Kayden. Judy is a member of Living Praise Christian Center in Chatsworth, CA.  Her motto is “You can’t have a tomorrow, if you keep looking back on yesterday, trust GOD”.