Barbara Fesperman Upright

Barbara Fesperman Upright, 76, of Salisbury, NC passed away Monday, September 29, 2025 peacefully at her home.

Barbara was born August 6, 1949 in Salisbury, NC to the late Oscar Lee (Beau) and Rachel Sloop Fesperman.

Barbara was educated in Rowan Co Schools, where she made lifelong friends, and graduated from South Rowan High School in 1967. In 1977 she resumed her education at Central Piedmont Community College, and became a dental hygienist. Barbara worked for decades as a hygienist, and specialized in periodontal care, with practices from Winston Salem to Charlotte. Her career brought friendships, and unexpected adventures that included a trip to Chichen Itza, in Mexico.

Barbara lived her life wide open.

In the early 1990's, Barbara helped to revive the Salisbury UDC Chapter #78, and focused her efforts on the education and history of the Confederacy and Civil War in the region, with particular interest in the Salisbury, NC, Confederate Prison. In 1997, Barbara became the chairwoman for the History Course Committee for a joint venture of the Historic Salisbury Foundation and the Rowan Museum. She served in this capacity along with the late Doug Black and other members of historic preservation community. For decades, Barbara worked as a docent at The Josephus W. Hall House (particularly on Christmas Eve), owned by Historic Salisbury Foundation, and as a docent and volunteer for the nationally recognized October Tour, hosted by the Historic Salisbury Foundation. Her recognitions include acknowledgement of her assistance to author Chris J Hartley, and his deeply detailed history of the Civil War, captured in the book Stoneman's Raid 1865, and the honor of the Historic Salisbury Foundation Clement Cup, in recognition of her boundless enthusiasm, and tireless work, in furthering the community impact and local knowledge of historic events and structures, customs, and practices. Barbara generously gave of her time, knowledge, attention and abilities to historical research, education, and preservation throughout Salisbury, Rowan County, and the greater region.

Along with her efforts in local historic preservation and education, Barbara volunteered for decades as a Sunday School teacher and Altar Guild member at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, a church her family helped to found in the 1800s. Barbara served there with her daughter Nicole, and her sister, Sarah. She and her sister Christine were faithful participants in the Wild Women Weekends at Lutheridge, and they enjoyed that fellowship for many years. Barbara was also active in researching and maintaining family histories, by leading the Fesperman family reunion with her cousin, Chip Fesperman, at Stony Hill United Methodist Church in Badin, NC, and by participating in and researching the Sloop family histories, out of Rowan and Cabarrus Counties. These pursuits led to their own adventures, included a trip to Europe to research and learn about the Sloop and Fesperman families in Switzerland and Germany.

Barbara was insatiably curious. She was an avid reader, an accomplished photographer, a Girl Scout with a Curved Bar award, a lover of music and museums. She traveled with her twin sister, Christine, all over North Carolina and the United States, to see musicians and art exhibitions, visit family, visit friends, and experience the world. She was an avid gardener, and shared that love with her daughter, Nicole, along with a joy in motorcycles, a shared pursuit of community service, and a joy in travel and visits to the beach. She was a fan of her grandchildren and deeply proud of their accomplishments and abilities, which included Girl Scouts Gold awards for Harley and Emma, a degree from UNC-Asheville for Harley, and a nursing degree and engagement for Emma Grace. She was thrilled for Sam's Eagle Scout, and she was proud of Madeline's abilities on the tennis court, and she was pleased to see Madeline married in October of 2024.

Barbara was a deeply involved aunt, beloved of her niece and nephew, and her grandnieces. “Babs” was known to their friends and colleagues, and was always up for concerts, whitewater rafting, canoe rides and camping on the New River on the 4th of July, quick trips to Atlanta, Asheville, Charlotte and Winston Salem, and hours of conversation on travel, history, art, and pop culture. She was a part of the fabric of their lives. Barbara was also a dear friend to many, particularly those from the historic preservation community, her photography classes and clubs, and her colleagues.

Siblings: Christine Fesperman Hilton, her twin, (H.A. “Tony” Hilton) of China Grove, NC; Sarah Fesperman, of Salisbury, NC; Patricia Fesperman Owens (Thomas) of Johnson City, TX

Formerly married to: the late Thurmond Mitchell “Mitch” Upright, father of her three children

Children: Nicole Upright Amos (Glen) and children Harley and Emma Grace Amos; Jeremy K Upright; Kimberly Upright Pepper (the late Melvin Jr.) and Madeline Pepper Scott (Jeremy) and Samuel Pepper.

Memorial service will be held at 11am on Friday, October 3, 2025 at St. Paul's Lutheran Church with Pastor Brian Lord officiating. The family will visit with friends following the memorial service.

The family would like to extend thanks to the team on 4th Floor/Cardiac at Novant Health Rowan Regional, Novant Health/Rowan County Hospice, our dear friend Mr. Rudy Hyde, and all those who sent cards, visited, and cared for Barbara and her family.

Should you so choose, we would also like to ask that donations be made to St Paul's Lutheran Church Cemetery Fund, at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, 205 St. Paul's Church Road, Salisbury NC 28146.

Barbara was beloved by friends and family alike, and will be deeply missed.

Summersett Funeral Home is serving the Upright family. Online condolences may be made at www.summersettfuneralhome.com.