MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR MARY UPTON  

AUG 23rd 11AM, FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH IN CLINTON

Mary Idena Talley Upton, age 79 of Clinton, died Wednesday, August 13 at St Joseph of the Pines Skilled Nursing Facility in Southern Pines NC after battling metastatic breast and ovarian cancer for over a year. Mrs. Upton was born November 19, 1934 in High Point, NC - the daughter of the late Frank and Etta Ellen (Saunders) Talley, and was raised in Randleman, NC.

Upton received her undergraduate degree from Woman’s College (now UNC-Greensboro) in 1956. On June 22, 1957 she married her high school sweetheart, George Philmore Upton, Jr, also of Randleman, and moved to Clinton, NC, where together they raised a family. Upton continued her higher education by receiving a Masters in Adult Education from NC State University in the mid-70s. Upton taught hundreds of students secretarial courses at Sampson Community College. She retired in 1993 after 30 years of teaching to travel and spend time with family and friends. 

Upton was an avid bridge player, a fantastic hostess whose culinary skills were renowned, and a faithful member of the First United Methodist Church of Clinton, where she sang in the choir for decades.

In addition to her parents, Upton is preceded in death by her son, George Philmore “Phil” Upton, III;  five sisters Eugenia “Jinks” Milliken, Dorothy “Dot” Williams, Mildred Crawford, Frances Hughes, and Ann Coghill; and six brother-in-laws Watson Milliken, Lon Williams, Asa Crawford, George Hughes, Joe “Herb” Sherman, and Carl Coghill.

Upton is survived by her husband of 57 years as well as her daughter and son in law Erica and Terry Peterson of Vass, NC; a half-sister, Ruth Sherman of Wilson, NC; a sister-in-law and her husband Janice & Dewey Gaines of Randleman, NC; 15 nieces and nephews and 28 great-nieces and great-nephews as well as numerous great,great-nieces and great, great-nephews.

Friends and family are invited to gather for a memorial service at First United Methodist Church in Clinton, NC at 11 AM on Saturday, August 23 with Reverend T. R. Miller officiating. A private burial service for immediate family only was held at the family plot in the Springvale Cemetery.

The family requests in lieu of flowers, any donations and memorials be given to the Sampson County History Museum (313 Lisbon Street, Clinton NC 28328): the NC Children’s Home Society (P.O. Box 14608, Greensboro, NC 27415): or the George Upton, Jr. Livestock Endowment for Sampson County (NCSU Box 7645, Raleigh NC 27695-7645).  Crumpler Honeycutt Funeral Home in Clinton is serving the family, online condolences may be offered at www.crumpler-honeycutt.com