Alda Joyce Updegrove

Alda Joyce (Underwood) Updegrove was born in Gracemont, OK to Jefferson (Gus) and Wendell Underwood.  She passed away on Monday, January 2, 2023.

Alda started school in Wasco, CA where she went to first and second grades, then the family moved back to Cement, OK where she finished her schooling and started working in a café.  She enjoyed writing poetry and has a collection of over 100 poems–11 published in National Poetry Anthologies.  She also received three Editors Choice Awards, two Rewards of Recognition and she has belonged to the National Poetry Society since 1987.

Alda is survived by one son Randy Askins, Chickasha, OK; three daughters, Gayla and Ken Wise, CA; Connie and Gator Pyle, Chickasha; and Regena and Joshua Carlson, Yukon, OK; grandchildren Cody Wise and Dusty Wise; Dillon Pyle and Kira Diehl; Amy, Timmy, Mia and Tyler Carlson; great-grandchildren Noah, Liam and Logan Wise and Espen, Meridikan and Lynnleigh Pyle.

Alda was preceded in death by her parents Wendell and Jefferson (Gus) Underwood; great-grandson Keaton Diehl; brother Hoyt Underwood; twin brother Albert (Abbie) Underwood; sisters Jeannette Lane and Liquieta Sanders.

Graveside services will be at 2:00pm Friday, January 6, 2023 in the Cement Cemetery in Cement, OK.

Services are under the direction of McRay Funeral Home.