Mary Upchurch

Mrs. Mary Ann Upchurch, 82, passed away peacefully at home Sunday, February 17, 2019 surrounded by her family.  Mary Ann was born October 16, 1936 in Winston-Salem to the late Rome Vanlou and Mary Anna Reece.  She graduated from Gray High School and received her associate degree from Gardner Webb College.  While at Gardner Webb, she met her husband Willard, and they were married February 7, 1957.  She worked at Wachovia Bank for 19 years as an administrative assistant.  In 1977, she followed her mentor Thatcher Townsend and embarked on a new career as Vice President at Forsyth Management Company.  She spent the next 10 years managing a number of shopping centers and other commercial real estate properties.  In the early 90’s, she transitioned to selling residential real estate at Miller Shaw until her retirement in 2011.  She was passionate about finding the perfect home for her clients and remained friends with most long after the sale closed.  Mary Ann had an adventurous spirit.  In 1977, she took her son Howard to Europe on the first of many international trips to over two dozen countries.  She loved being a travel pioneer, visiting China, the Soviet Union, and Morocco long before they became tourist destinations.  Throughout her life, she was an avid bridge player and a fixture in a variety of bridge groups.  She enjoyed following tennis, and she was an enthusiastic attendee of the Winston-Salem Open.  Mary Ann was dedicated to her family, devoted to her husband Willard and her son Howard.  She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband Willard, infant daughter Alice Fay, brother Gray Reece, and sister, Fay Stewart.  She is survived by her loving son, Howard and his partner John Hoemann, and sister-in-law, Doris Upchurch.  She also is survived by a host of nieces and one nephew and numerous great nieces and nephews.  A funeral service will be held Wednesday, February 20 at noon at Hayworth-Miller Silas Creek Chapel.  Interment will follow in Forsyth Memorial Park. The family will receive friends on Tuesday February 19 from 6-8pm at Hayworth-Miller Silas Creek Chapel.  Mary Ann believed in helping others, so in lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Second Harvest Food Bank of Winston-Salem 3655 Reed St., Winston-Salem, NC 27107.