Gilbert Rivers Upchurch

1936 - 2025

Gilbert Rivers Upchurch

February 27, 1936 - October 30, 2025

Gilbert Rivers Upchurch was born in Clinton, N.C., on February 27, 1936, and passed away on October 30, 2025, at his home in Reidsville, N.C., surrounded by love.

Rivers grew up in Smithfield, N.C., where he earned his Eagle Scout and enjoyed all sports, especially football and fishing, and working for his father at Upchurch Pharmacy. After graduating from Smithfield High School in 1954, he attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He met the love of his life at the front door of the ATO house in 1956 when she appeared in a red raincoat with a beautiful smile. He graduated with his BA in History in 1958, and one week later married Mary Anne Bass on June 14, 1958, at St. Philip's Church in Durham. They were married for 65 years.

They first made a home in Chapel Hill where he completed Dental School prior to the family moving to Camp Lejeune, N.C. where Rivers was a Naval officer attached to the Fleet Marine Force. He served in the Dental Corps from 1962 to 1964, which included being a part of the "first deployed if needed" during the Cuban Missile Crisis. In 1964, they moved to Reidsville to start a dental practice and to raise two children. He was a beloved dentist for 42 years and his dedicated staff and patients became long-time friends.

Rivers could tell a good story – mostly the "long versions." He stayed active in community affairs for many years, including serving on the local Board of Directors for First Federal Savings and then First Citizens Bank for a total of 30 years. He was on the Board for the Reidsville Soup Kitchen and the Family Life Center. He loved working at the Outreach Center and he and Mary Anne also delivered for Meals on Wheels. When asked late in life, what he was doing to be helpful at the Food Pantry because he couldn't carry groceries anymore, he remarked "I am here giving free advice!". He was very proud of his pro-bono dental work in the early days of the Free Clinic of Rockingham County and joined others to create the Reidsville Soup Kitchen, where he delighted being Santa at Christmas.

He was a dedicated member of First Baptist Church Reidsville. He was the Baraca/Brande Men's Sunday School teacher for 30 years and was a Biblical scholar. He also enjoyed membership with the Kiwanis Club, the Reidsville Elks Lodge, and Pennrose Park Country Club. He was a lifelong Rams Club member rooting for the Tarheels.

He was predeceased by his wife and his parents: Mary Anne Bass Upchurch, Malcolm Thurston (Bill) Upchurch and Johnsie Eugenia (Johnnie Jean) Upchurch; his brother Malcolm Thurston (Billy) Upchurch, Jr. and his wife Nancy; and In-laws Jack S. Daughtry, and Arch L. and Betty S. Bass. He is survived by two children: Gilbert Rivers (Gib) Upchurch of Gainesville, Fla., and Eugenia Anne (Gina) Upchurch of Durham, N.C. He was so proud of them and Gib's family: wife (Nancy McFarland Upchurch) and three grandsons (Gilbert Rivers Upchurch, III – and wife – Morgan of Beckley, W.Va., Malcolm Walker Upchurch of Washington, D.C., and Joseph Harwell Upchurch of Los Angeles, Calif.). He is also survived by his beloved sister – Eugenia Elizabeth (Geanie) Daughtry of Florence, S.C.; and cousins John and Bill Overton; along with many wonderful nieces and nephews who gathered at Litchfield Beach, S.C., for summer fun with "Papa No-No."

The family thanks so many for the tender loving care shown to Rivers over the last few years, including many neighbors and long-time friends. Mercedes Hernandez is an angel, and she assembled a loving team with Margaret Wright, America Hernandez, and Cecil Cottrell. They made it po.ssible for him to remain in his home until his death.

A Celebration of Life will take place on Monday, November 3rd, at 11 a.m. at the First Baptist Church of Reidsville. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make a donation to the charity of your choice or one of the following: The Free Clinic of Rockingham County, P.O. Box 2668, Reidsville, N.C. 27320; Mount Jubilee Ministries, P.O. Box 81, Reidsville, N.C. 27323; The Reidsville Outreach Center, P.O. Box 773, Reidsville, N.C. 27320; the Reidsville Soup Kitchen, P.O. Box 1562 Reidsville, N.C. 27323, or the First Baptist Church Reidsville, 409 S. Main Street, Reidsville, N.C. 27320.

Citty Funeral Home

308 Lindsey St Reidsville NC 27320