Mrs. Ardella Billups, a resident of Red Bird, Oklahoma, left for Glory in her 99th year.

It all began in Sardis, Tennessee on April 7, 1907, when a beautiful baby girl was born to Arbie and Felix Collins. They named their daughter Ardella.


The family moved to the town of Red Bird, Oklahoma when Ardella was eight years old. Her siblings were Vera Perline and Felix Jr. They, as most families in this area did, farmed and did domestic work.


Ardella attended the then "Main Street" school, located in the downtown part of Red Bird. In 1914, she enrolled in the new, first high School, MIller Washington High.


Later in life, she met and married Murphy Billups. No children were born from this union. Ardella took two school boys, McKinely, age 12 and Tommy Burton, age 13 under her wings and raised them through high school. She was affectionately known as "Mama Dell" to them. Tommy passed away some time ago, however, McKinley has always remained close to her and provided support to her. When her health began to fail, Leo Townsell volunteered and was assigned by county officials to be her caretaker and guardian.


She leaves to cherish her memory; a niece, Lillian Sharp, Kansas City, Kansas; great-nephews, Raymond Collins, Tulsa, Oklahoma, James Sharp, Kansas City, Kansas and Lanthus Sharp, Little Rock, Arkansas; great-niece, Janice Sharp, Kansas City, Kansas; and a host of other cousins and friends.

The final hour with Mrs. Billups will be on Monday, April 16, 2007 at 2:00 P.M. in the First Baptist Church of Red Bird. Rev. William Janey, Pastor, will officiate. Burial will follow in the Red Bird Cemetery. You may visit Mrs. Billups, as she slumbers at the funeral home in Muskogee on Sunday from 12 Noon to 3 PM.