Robbie McGowan Upshaw of Paducah went home to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Tuesday, March 3, 2026. She was born in Carlisle County, Kentucky, on December 9, 1929, to Robert A. and Euva K. McGowan. She moved to Alton, Illinois, in 1948, where she worked at Brooks Ice Cream and Alton Box & Board, then to McDonnell Douglas Aircraft in St. Louis. Having moved back to Paducah in 1977, Robbie worked for Hardy, Terrell & Boswell Attorneys for 17 years until her retirement in 1998.
Robbie married Edward Burrell Upshaw on May 25, 1985. They enjoyed 37 years of marriage until he passed away at age 100 in 2022. Robbie had been a member of Lone Oak First Baptist Church since July of 1989.
She is survived by two stepsons; Wayne “Buddy” Upshaw (Mary Ann) of Paducah and Timothy Upshaw (Claire) of Kingsport, Tennessee as well as five step grandchildren, Ben Upshaw, Matt Upshaw, Julie Hanks, Bryan Upshaw and Amy Upshaw; 13 step-great grandchildren; 12 nieces and nephews and two step children from a previous marriage, Vickie Wonderlich of West Alton, Missouri and Chris Herring of Port Richey, Florida.
She was preceded in death by brothers, Wilbur Gene McGowan of Paducah and Paul McGowan of Lovelaceville, and sisters, Dorothy Watters of Lovelaceville and Sue Duncan of Lowes.
Services will be held at the Lone Oak Chapel of Milner & Orr Funeral Home, Saturday, March 7, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. with Revs. Dan Summerlin & Bob Martin officiating. Visitation will be held on Saturday, March 7, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. until the service time. Burial will follow at Woodlawn Memorial Gardens.
Expression of sympathy may be made to Lone Oak First Baptist Church, 3601 Lone Oak Rd., Paducah, KY 42003; Star Fish Orphan Ministry, 1000 Broadway, Paducah, KY 42001; Family Service Society, 1225 Broadway, Paducah, KY 42001, or to a charity of your choice.
Arrangements made by the Lone Oak chapel of Milner & Orr Funeral Home.
