She was the 11th child born to Rufus and Anna Belcher in Wetumka, Oklahoma on July 4, 1931 in their home with a midwife. She told me Grandpa(Rufus) took the family to town while Grandma(Anna) labored until her birth. She said when the family came home Grandma had fried chicken dinner on the table to feed the rest of her children, at least the ones still at home. Marlene was born the youngest of 11 children. Her oldest sister Grace had children before she was born making her an aunt at birth.
Marlene was married to Jim Upshaw on June 29, 1951 and from that marriage had 3 daughters Debra, Rannah, and Sabra. She loved music and dancing. She once won a Jitterbug Contest! When they were first married, Marlene and Jim lived in Earlimart where Jim worked for O.W. Bryan Hardware. After raising their three daughters in Delano, Jim and Marlene purchased the store from Judge Bryan and became the proud owners of Country Hardware.
She leaves behind her daughters Debra Leasure, Rannah Baker, and Sabra Sandeffer. Grandsons Travis Trimmer, Solomon Antonell, Joshua Leasure, Joel Leasure, and Patrick Sandeffer. Granddaughters Haley McKelvey, Jessica Leasure, and Stephanie Sandeffer. Great Grandchildren Micah Baker, Addison Drake, Elijah Antonell, and Sinclaire Antonell and many Nieces and Nephews too many to list, that she loved very much.
She will be forever loved and dearly missed.
A celebration of life for Marlene will be held Thursday, January 11, 2024 from 11:00 AM to 11:30 AM at North Kern District Cemetery, 627 Austin St., Delano, CA 93215.
Serving as pallbearers are Solomon Antonell, Joshua Leasure, Joel Leasure, Jessica Leasure, Travis Trimmer , Haley McKelvey, Joshua McKelvey, Micah Baker, Patrick Sandeffer, Stephanie Sandeffer and Jared Vance.
Services entrusted to Funeraria Del Angel Delano, a Dignity Memorial provider.
