Virginia Lee Upton

Published 12:57 pm Tuesday, August 8, 2017

Virginia Lee Upton, died on August 6, 2017 at Farmville Health and Rehab in Farmville.  Ginny, as she was known to family and friends was born on December 26, 1926 in Pittsburg, PA and was the youngest daughter of David and Irene Hastings who predeceased her.

Early in her life the family moved to Denver, CO where Ginny learned to play the harp and began performing for with the Denver Symphony at the age of 10.  She became an accomplished musician and good music, of all types, was a joy and passion for her throughout her life.  She met and married pilot JB Upton in Denver in 1946.  Ginny became a fantastic military wife and with her husband raised three children.

Throughout her husband’s military career she moved to various military bases around the country and overseas, setting up households and settling in new communities.  The children remember that in each new community she would first get them registered for school and then find the closest Presbyterian Church where they were regular attendees. 

After the military retirement Colonel and Mrs. Upton settled in Tallahassee Florida where she was an active member of Faith Presbyterian Church as well as participating actively in many musical performances and societies in the surrounding community.

Along with her parents she was preceded in death by her husband, Col. JB Upton (USAF), her sisters Joann Gray (Dan); and Jerry Kendall (Harland).

Ginny is survived by three children, Lynn Upton Lawhon (David Lawhon), David Upton (Karen Upton), and Janis Upton Leach (Keith Leach); four grandchildren  Rev. Larry Green (Kathy Green), Andy Green, Michael Leach (Meghan) and Casey Leach; and three great-grandchildren Alexis Green, Timmy Green and Alli Green. Additionally she is survived by many nieces and nephews.

A service in Witness to the Resurrection will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday August 19, at College Church in Hampden-Sydney.

Puckett Funeral Home is serving the family. www.puckettfh.com.