Services for Merle Upchurch Boatwright, 89, of Ada are 10:00 a.m. Friday at the First United Methodist Church, Rev. Brian Matthews will officiate. Assisting will be Revs. David Daniels, Bob Langston and Dr. Roberto Escamilla. Burial will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery.
Mrs. Boatwright passed away Tuesday, June 14, 2016 at an Ada assisted living center. She was born August 16, 1926 in Wister, Oklahoma to C. O. and Ollie Upchurch. She graduated from Wister High School in May, 1944. She received a Bachelor of Science in Education degree from East Central University May 22, 1947, and later received a Master of Education Degree, specializing in Secondary Education May 14, 1971.
She married Tom E. Boatwright December 21, 1950. He preceded her in death October 11, 2012. Mrs. Boatwright began working for East Central University from 1944-46 as the part-time Secretary, Dean of Men; from 1946-1971, as the Assistant Registrar in the Registry Office; from 1971-1984 as the Registrar; and retired October 31, 1984.
Mrs. Boatwright was a longtime member of the First United Methodist Church, Past member of the Administrative Board, the Finance Committee, and the Board of Trustees. She was a member of the United Methodist Women and the Fellowship Sunday School Class where she played the piano and led the music.
She was a former member of the Oklahoma Education Association, Oklahoma and National Registrars and Admissions Officers, served on various committees in higher education for Oklahoma, a member of Oklahoma Retired Teachers Association, and she was listed in Cambridge’s Who’s Who Among Executive Women.
Survivors include two grandchildren, Brent Boatwright and his wife Amy of Ada and Mindy Ahrend and her husband T. S. of Ada; six great-grandchildren, Bo and Baylee Boatwright and Stella, Marlea, Hoyt and Vance Ahrend; and a daughter-in-law, Marcia Boatwright of Ada.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; a son, Dale Boatwright; and a brother, Glenn Upchurch.
Bearers will be Hicks Smith, Wayne King, Ken Johnson, Bill Chapman and Carlton Tilley. Honorary bearers will be Denny O’Dell and the Fellowship Sunday School Class of the First United Methodist Church. The family says those who wish may make memorials to the First United Methodist Church Memorial Fund, P. O. Box 566, Ada, OK 74821; or the East Central University Foundation, c/o East Central University, P. O. Box Y-8, Ada, OK 74821.
Obituaries may be viewed and online condolences sent to criswellfh.com.
Criswell Funeral Home, Ada.
