Shirley Murray Upton

1935 - 2025

Shirley Murray (Kelley) Upton Elizabeth City - Shirley Kelley Upton, age 90, of Elizabeth City, NC, died at her home on Monday, October 27, 2025. She was born in Newport News, VA, on May 15, 1935, to the late Lewis Albert Kelley and Elizabeth Marie Kratz Kelley, and was the widow of Robert Osborn Upton, Jr., her husband of 56 years. Shirley was a co-founder and operator of Bob's Upholstery and was of the Baptist faith.

She is survived by two daughters, Sherry Upton Gallop (Harrell) of Elizabeth City, NC and Shirl Upton Minton (Stephen) of Roxobel, NC; two sons, Gene Allen Upton of Richwood, WV and R. Kelley Upton (Beth) of Camden, NC; two sisters, Diane Rabb of TX and Carol Holt of VA; eight grandchildren; fourteen great-grandchildren; and several great-great-grandchildren. In addition to her parents and husband, Shirley was predeceased by a grandson, Gene Allen Upton II, and four brothers: Albert Kelley, William Kelley, Walter Kelley, and Lewis Kelley.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, November 3, 2025, at Twiford Memorial Chapel with Rev. Wayne Wood officiating. The service will be live streamed on her obituary page at www.twifordfh.com. Entombment will follow the service at West Lawn Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society (www.cancer.org/donate.html), P. O. Box 6704, Hagerstown, MD 21741 or to one's favorite charity.

Twiford Funeral Homes, 405 E. Church Street, Elizabeth City, NC, is serving the Upton Family. Condolences and memories may be shared at www.TwifordFH.com.