Iris Irlene Matthews

Iris "Irlene" Matthews 82, of Konawa, Oklahoma, passed away Sunday, December 24, 2023 in Norman, Oklahoma.

Irlene was born October 5, 1941 in Sasakwa to Harold and Iris McClead. She was raised in the Sasakwa area and graduated Class of 1959 from Sasakwa High.  After graduation she married George Graves, Jr. in February 1961 and they made their home in the Vamoosa area. 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 a sewing factory in Konawa, she then moved on to Bill’s Grocery and McClure’s and the Soil Conservation office in Konawa. After her marriage to Kenneth Matthews in September of 1997, they worked together in many of his business endeavors. After Kenneth passed in 2009, she managed the Senior Nutrition Site in Konawa until just prior to her passing. She spent a lot of time helping and serving others during her lifetime, always ready to provide assistance to anyone that might need it. She enjoyed reading, studying her Bible, and spending time with her grandsons. She also enjoyed all of the stories about the great grandchildren as they grew and learned about the world.  She was an avid horse woman in her early and midlife. She had many friendships young and old, that she enjoyed a great deal.

 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 great-grandchildren, Isabella Bess Fuller, Harper James Klupenger, Landon Cole Klupenger, Cohen Clay Klupenger, Houstyn Raye Klupenger, Hudsyn Blake Klupenger, and Harlow Kate Klupenger; 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.

In lieu of flowers, donations are asked to be made to Coats For Kids at Sharon Baptist Church, 19002 S. Gordon Cooper Dr. Shawnee, OK.

Visitation will begin at 12:00 noon to 8:00 p.m. Wednesday December 27 at Cooper funeral home. Funeral Service will be held Thursday, December 28, 2023, 2:00 p.m. at Cooper Funeral Home with Reverend Clint Dawkins of Sharon Baptist Church officiating. Burial will follow at Violet Springs Cemetery in Konawa.