Josephine Upchurch Campbell

Josephine Upchurch Campbell died at her assisted living facility in Dallas on June 25, 2018, at the age of 96 years, after a long fight with Alzheimer’s.

She was born in Corsicana, Texas, to Mattie and C.E. Upchurch, but moved to Tyler, Texas, at an early age, where she lived until her marriage.

She was preceded in death by her son, Brad, at age 11, daughter, Claudia, at age 51, husband, Donovan Campbell, Sr., in 2017, as well as brothers Claude E. Upchurch and James O. Upchurch.

She is survived by son Donovan Campbell, Jr. and his wife, Polly, their five sons, Donovan III and wife Christy, Caleb and wife Alyssa, Joshua and wife Richelle, Jordan and wife Kathryn, and Chase, the 15 great-grandchildren, and her fine nieces and nephews, Martha, Molly, Alan, and Ann (and their families).

Josephine graduated from the University of Texas in Austin, Phi Beta Kappa in English, pledged Kappa Kappa Gamma there and participated in the Tyler Rose Festival as a young lady.

After moving to Dallas in 1960 with her young family, as a devout Christian and accomplished student of the Bible, she became an active member of Highland Park Presbyterian Church, where she taught Sunday School for years and pioneered (with co-teacher Lois Crossland) the Bible Credit Course offered through Highland Park High School. Josephine served as a spiritual mentor to many young women in Dallas through these courses and numerous other Bible studies that she led for years. She enjoyed international travel in England and Europe with her husband and family friends.

In her later years, complications from hip surgery and her progressing Alzheimer’s kept her bedridden, but she received excellent treatment from her attendants at Presbyterian Village North and Tophill Personal Care. Also in her declining years, she unfortunately encountered difficult family challenges, but she soldiered on.

Josephine’s grandchildren warmly remember their many Sunday lunches—where they were treated to her exceptional and delicious cooking—and birthday shopping trips with “Gigi".

She was a fighter until the end. The family extends special thanks to her legal Guardian and Trustee, Christian F. Clausen, who faithfully served and protected her and the entire family for many years, and to Mark Whitman of Tophill Personal Care (and his staff), who attended to Josephine with excellence at his facility in her final years.

The Memorial Service will be held Friday, June 29, 2018, at 2:00 p.m. in the Chapel of Park Cities Presbyterian Church, 4124 Oak Lawn Avenue, Dallas, Texas 75219.