Mac Upchurch died Saturday, December 2, 2017 at Forsyth Hospital in Winston-Salem. He passed away peacefully in the presence of his family. Born September 16, 1925, in Greenville, SC, he was the son of the late Charles Woodfin Upchurch and Priscilla Poteat Upchurch. Mac spent ninety-two years gently instilling the world with his kindness, integrity, humor, and love.
After graduation from Webb School, Mac entered Davidson College, but his education was interrupted by service in the US Army from 1944-1946. He was a member of the 86th Infantry Division of General Patton’s Third Army in World War II, where he fought in the European Theater and the Philippine Islands, earning the Combat Infantryman’s Badge and the Bronze Star. He graduated from Davidson College in 1949.
Mac’s greatest joy in life was his family. He was devoted to his wife and delighted in his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He is survived by the former Margaret Elizabeth (Betty) Brown, whom he married on October 27, 1951. He is also survived by his two children, Allen McNeill Upchurch, Jr. and Catherine Elizabeth Upchurch; four grandchildren, Elizabeth Blackwell Upchurch, Allen McNeill Upchurch III, Forrest McNeill Causby, and Gordon Robert Causby; seven great-grandchildren; and his sister, Julia Upchurch Alexander. He was preceded in death by his brother, Charles Woodfin Upchurch, Jr.
Mac began his career in the C.W. Upchurch and Company automobile dealership, then began working in 1965 as a Vice President and Trust Officer for Bank of America (formerly NCNB), where he worked for almost fifty years. He “retired” in 1990, but continued work at Bank of America as a consultant until 2015.
He served as Chairman of the Board of Deacons at Myers Park Presbyterian Church, President of the Charlotte Estate Planning Council, President (and later as Treasurer) of the Piedmont Club of Charlotte, and President of the Charlotte Choral Society. Mac loved sports, big band music, family trips to Ocean Isle Beach and foreign travel. He sang and played trombone all his life and delighted audiences for many years as a member of the “Filthy Five” combo. Mac loved writing songs and poetry. He often expressed his love and humor with his many offerings of “wretched doggerel,” and by writing thoughtful, hand-written letters to family and friends.
The family would like to thank the staffs of Brighton Gardens Assisted Living, Winston-Salem, NC, Doctors Making House Calls, Piedmont Area, Mountain Eagle Health Care Home Care Services, Clemmons, NC, PruittHealth Hospice, Wilkesboro, NC, and Novant Health Forsyth Medical Center, Winston-Salem, NC for the compassionate and excellent care they provided to Mac.
A service of celebration for Mac’s life will be held on Monday, December 11 at 2:00 PM at Myers Park Presbyterian Church. The family will receive friends in Oxford Hall following the service. Burial will be private.
For those wishing to send memorial gifts, please consider the Rhodes-Johnston-Boyce Bible Class at Myers Park Presbyterian Church, 2501 Oxford Place, Charlotte, NC 28207, or the Piedmont Club Foundation, PO Box 6000, Charlotte, NC 28207.
Condolences may be offered at www.harryandbryantfuneralhome.com
Published in Charlotte Observer on Dec. 7, 2017