The Akins Funeral Home of Copperhill announces the death of Tracy Earl Welch, age 46, of McCaysville, GA, who passed away Saturday, January 3, 2009. Tracy was a native of the Copper Basin area and was a son of the late Kenneth Earl and Beverly Joyce Henry Welch. He worked as a lineman for a telephone company. He was preceded in death by a sister, Angie Sharpe.He is survived by children, Wyatt Earl Welch, Mikayla Welch and Martha Hyde, all of Copperhill, TN; brother Rick Welch of McCaysville, GA; the mother of his children, Allison Hyde of Copperhill, TN; nieces, Summer "SumSum" Allen, A.J.Sharpe; Nephews, Cory P. Welch, Bubba Sharpe and Scotty Allen; great nieces, Mollie Crawlbottom, Harley Ann and Erion Welch; great-nephews, Patrick Welch and Drayton Simpson.Memorial services will be conducted Saturday, January 10, at 3:00 PM from the Bethany church with Rev. Jimmy Dickey, Rev. Larry Welch and Rev. Robby Corn officiating. Music will be by Barron, Kim and Claudette Early, John Dyer and Back to Bethany. Honorary pallbearers included, Kevin Ballew, Donnie Davenport, Jason Norton, Leon Dockery, Bobby Russell, Richard Walden, John Dunn, Stan Collins and Kenny Greene. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to help defray funeral expenses. Condolences to the Welch family may be sent to www.akinsfuneralhome.com. Akins Funeral Home of Copperhill in charge of the arrangements.