Ray Upchurch

Mr. Ray Upchurch, age 81, of Carthage, TN, passed away on Tuesday, March 14, 2017. Mr. Upchurch was born October 16, 1935 in Jackson County, TN, the son of the late Raymond Lee Upchurch and Thelma Ramsey. Ray married Linda Paschall of the Hickman Community in August of 1961. He was a member of the Carthage Church of Christ. Ray began work as a young boy with his brothers, delivering papers for the Nashville Banner and the Tennessean. They would deliver every day, once in the morning and once in the evening, from 1948 until 1954. Ray graduated from Smith County High School in 1954 and attended University of Tennessee, Knoxville and Tennessee Polytechnic Institute in Cookeville to obtain a bachelor’s degree. He served his country in the U.S. Army as a paratrooper. Mr. Upchurch worked for the Tennessee Department of Health for 42 years in many facets with numerous job titles, but was predominantly a Field Manager. Mr. Upchurch is survived by his Wife of 55 years; Linda Paschall Upchurch of Carthage, TN. Two Children; Scott and wife Samantha Upchurch of Carthage, TN, and Jennifer and husband Scott Agee of Carthage, TN. Three Grandchildren; Lauren (Cal) Welch, Paige Upchurch, and Seth Agee. Two Great-Grandchildren; Emery Kay Welch and Andrew Calbreath Welch, V. Three Brothers; Tommy (Barbara) Upchurch of Elmwood, TN, Phillip (Valerie) Upchurch of Carthage, TN, and Bobby (Mai Miller) Upchurch of Hardinsburg, KY. Sister; Sue Thomas of Hermitage, TN. Graveside Services and Interment for Mr. Upchurch are scheduled to be conducted from the Ridgewood Cemetery on Friday, March 17, 2017 at 2PM with Edward L. Anderson officiating. Visitation with the Upchurch family will be held at the Carthage Chapel of Bass Funeral Homes on Thursday from 4PM to 8PM and on Friday after 12 Noon until departure for the cemetery at 1:45PM. Pallbearers: Mike Malone, Bob Malone, Zach Upchurch, Jimmy Perrigo, Roy Etheridge, Mark Houser, Larry Dudney, Mike Denney, Tim Upchurch, Julian Upchurch, and Paul Upchurch. In lieu of flowers the Family requests donations be made to the Tennessee Kidney Foundation or the Church of Christ Disaster Relief Fund. BASS FUNERAL HOME, CARTHAGE CHAPEL, DIRECTORS.

Ray Upchurch

October 16, 1935 - March 14, 2017