Iris “Irlene” Matthews passed away on Dec. 24, 2023.
Irlene was born Oct. 5, 1941, in Sasakwa to Harold and Iris McClead. She graduated Class of 1959 from Sasakwa High. Irlene married George Graves, Jr. in Feb. 1961. After his death in 1975, she and her daughters moved to Konawa, where she lived until her passing. She worked several years at Michael’s Casuals, then moved on to Bill’s Grocery and McClure’s and the Soil Conservation office in Konawa.
After her marriage to Kenneth Matthews in Sept. 1997, they worked together in many of his business endeavors. She managed the Senior Nutrition Site in Konawa until just prior to her passing.
Irlene is survived by two daughters, Myra Bess McKiddy and Husband Steve of Tecumseh, OK, and Regina Klupenger of Konawa, OK; five grandsons, James Scott Fuller of Norman, OK, Christopher Luke Fuller of Choctaw, OK, Chad Michael Fuller of Denver, CO, Miles Patrick Klupenger of Konawa, OK, and Chance Cole Klupenger of Bethel Acres, OK; seven greatgrandchildren; five siblings, Jody Lee McClead of Seoul, Clara Dean Doolen of Konawa, OK, Carol Harrison of Seminole, OK, Mary Lou Kennedy of Hastings, OK, and Joy J. McClead of Holdenville, OK; and her friend, Bonnie Harden and many extended family and friends.
Irlene is preceded in death by her parents, Harold and Iris McClead; husband George Graves Jr. and her husband Kenneth Matthews Sr.
Services were held Dec. 28, 2023 at Cooper Funeral Home with Rev. Clint Dawkins of Sharon Baptist Church officiating. Burial followed at Violet Springs Cemetery in Konawa.
