Earlene Upshaw was born August 12, 1934, in Joy, Oklahoma, to Earl Dewey and Leota Mae Clemons. Her early years were spent in the Joy and Wynnewood areas.
In 1939, they headed to California on the heels of the dust bowl. Before they made it there, they were involved in a wreck in the Texas Panhandle where her dad was killed. They returned to Oklahoma, and she lived around Pooleville for many years after that.
In 1950, Earlene married E. L. Thompson. They had five kids: Linda, Don, Kenny, Donna, and Tammy. She married her second husband, Travis Upshaw, in 1966. They had one son, Travis Jr.
They lived in Ratliff City until 1980 when they moved to Elmore City. Most of her kids lived in Elmore as did her only sister, Betty. It only made sense to be as close to them as she could. Earlene and Travis were married for 53 years when he passed away in 2020.
Earlene was a housewife her whole life. Her love of kids began early in her life and lasted throughout her lifetime. She babysat her grandkids as much as she could. She would cook huge meals on Sundays so all of the kids that wanted to could come over and eat lunch and visit. About two weeks ago, she said that she could watch Kristen’s girls while she worked and, in her mind, she truly wanted to and thought that she could. Her antics and her humor will be greatly missed.
Earlene is survived by sons, Don Thompson and wife, Kathy, of Bray; Larry Upshaw and wife, Julia, of Tulsa; Travis Upshaw and wife, Stephanie, of Elmore City; daughters, Linda Davis and husband, Tony, of Elmore City; Donna McFadden and husband, Danny, of Elmore City; and Tammy Thompson of Elmore City; her niece Cathy Wood, and husband, Joe, of Elmore City; her brother-in-law, Terry McIntyre, of Elmore City; 14 grandchildren, 32 great-grandchildren, seven great-great-grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, family and friends.
Earlene was preceded in death by her husband, Travis Upshaw Sr.; parents, Earl Clemons and Leota Reed; brother, JD “Boodle” Gilbert; sister, Betty McIntyre; son, Kenny Thompson; granddaughter, Melinda Ille; and great-granddaughter, Taylor Spencer.
Graveside services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Monday, February 28, 2022, at the Pooleville Cemetery with Rev. Danny Reed and Ronnie Burton officiating. Services are under the direction of Wooster Funeral Home. You may send a condolence to the family at www.woosterfuneralhomes.com.
