Gleathern Ray Upchurch

Mr. Gleathern Ray Upchurch, 65, of 163 Coolidge Avenue, Mount Airy, passed away Sunday morning, March 14, 2010, at his home. He was born October 8, 1944, in Carroll County, VA, to the late Early Gleathern and Nellie Kirby Upchurch. He was a member of Friendly Tabernacle Church. Surviving are his wife, Linda Ladd Upchurch of the home; a daughter, Shannon Hall of Mount Airy; a son and daughter-in-law, Eddie and Deana Upchurch of Mount Airy; four grandchildren and a spouse, Lauren and Scott Coleson of Winston-Salem, Jordan Upchurch, Emily Hall, and Morgan Upchurch, all of Mount Airy; a beloved great-grandson, Peyton Coleson of Winston-Salem; two sisters and brothers-in-law, Kathy and Phillip Edmonds and Carolyn and Jimmy Hodges, all of Mount Airy; three brothers and sisters-in-law, Roger and Wilma Upchurch and Michael and Terri Upchurch, all of Mount Airy, and Bobby and Billie Upchurch of Collinsville, VA; and numerous nieces and nephews. The funeral service will be held at 2:00 PM Tuesday, March 16, 2010, at Friendly Tabernacle Church, with the Rev. Roby Wilcox and the Rev. Dud Spencer officiating. Burial will follow in the Edwards-Upchurch Cemetery in Lambsburg, VA. The family will receive friends Monday from 7:00 to 9:00 PM at Friendly Tabernacle Church, where his body will remain until the hour of the service. The family would like to express a "special thanks" to Dr. Mark Dodd and the staff of Mountain Valley Hospice and Palliative Care. Flowers will be accepted, or memorials may be made to the Friendly Tabernacle Church, c/o Tony Williams, 279 Miller Road, Mount Airy, NC 27030, or to The Gideons International, c/o Memorial Bible Chairman, P.O. Box 1032, Mount Airy, NC 27030.