Carol Lee Upchurch

Carol Lee Crandall Upchurch, 83, passed away on September 5, 2026. A Memorial Service will take place at 10:00 AM, Saturday, September 26, 2026, at HILCO Civic & Event Center, 1000 S Files Street, Itasca, Texas.

She was born on February 10, 1943, in Los Angeles, California, to Lionel LeRoy Crandall and Eileen Lois Exnicios Crandall.

Carol spent her childhood in La Cañada and Pasadena, California, and graduated from John Muir High School in 1960. As a young woman, she was involved in Job's Daughters and served as Honored Queen in 1960. She later attended Texas Christian University, where she was a member of Delta Gamma, graduating in 1966.

On April 22, 1967, Carol married Kenneth Chester Upchurch in Itasca, Texas. Together, they built a life centered around family and raised their two sons, Kenneth Coy Upchurch and Kerry Lee Upchurch.

Carol devoted much of her life to caring for and teaching children. She and Kenneth served as cottage parents at the Presbyterian Children's Home in Itasca. She had a long career in education. Over the course of her career, Carol taught Pre-K, Kindergarten, and 1st Grade, working for Burleson ISD and Itasca ISD before retiring in 2006. Teaching children was something she truly loved and remained an important part of who she was throughout her life.

Carol had many interests and talents. She loved to travel and especially loved the ocean. She was an avid sports fan and was happy to watch just about any sport that happened to be on. She enjoyed sewing and knitting and, later in life, became an accomplished quilter. Carol entered her quilts in numerous shows throughout Texas, winning a show in Houston and placing in many others. Quilting became one of the many ways she shared her creativity, patience, and talent with those around her.

Carol is survived by her husband, Kenneth Chester Upchurch; her sons, Kenneth Coy Upchurch and Kerry Lee Upchurch; her grandchildren, Josh Cavender, Cade Cavender and his wife, Maddie, Kylee Pruett and her husband, Austin, Samantha Upchurch, and Kera Upchurch; her brother, David Crandall and his wife, Donna; and her sister, Gloria Homewood and her husband, Tom. She is also survived by many beloved nieces, nephews, in-laws, extended family members, and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Lionel LeRoy Crandall and Eileen Lois Exnicios Crandall; her sister, Sally Weideman; her grandson, Chase Cavender; her nephew, Michael Eagan Jr.; and other beloved members of her extended family.

Carol will be remembered for her love of family, her devotion to children and education, and the creativity she shared throughout her life. Whether she was teaching young children, creating beautiful quilts, traveling somewhere new, watching a game, or enjoying time near the ocean, Carol found joy in the things she loved and, in the people, she shared them with. Her life touched generations of children and family, and the memories she leaves behind will be treasured by those who knew and loved her.