Jackie Lou Bridges Upton

Devoted Christian, wife, mother, grandmother, and friend, Jackie Lou Bridges Upton, passed away peacefully at her home surrounded by her family after her long journey with cancer on Tuesday, December 6th, 2022. Her kindness knew no bounds. Her zest for life matched her unconquerable spirit. Jackie instilled this same spirit in her children to which her dedication and love for them was immense. She was all things that describe a devoted wife, but also a loving friend and compassionate teacher.

Jackie was born in Fayetteville, North Carolina on September 17, 1941 to Julia Bridges Eperson and Joseph Curtis Bridges. She graduated from Smithfield High School, then went on to Greensboro College earning a Bachelor of Arts in History and received her Masters in Education from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.

Jackie and her husband Jack grew up in Smithfield, North Carolina, began dating in high school, courted through college, and were happily married for 58 years. They had two daughters, Brooke and Blaire, and together, as a family shared many beautiful memories including spending time at their beach home at Litchfield on Pawleys Island, SC.

Over the years, family, friends, and colleagues were blessed with special times traveling with Jackie, which she immensely enjoyed. Family vacations to London and Italy, girls weekends in the mountains or at the beach, mission trips for hurricane relief, and to various locations across the country grading AP U.S. History exams were among her favorite adventures. Jackie also loved taking walks exploring all the beauty of our world and marveled at sunsets as one of God’s glorious masterpieces.

Jackie dedicated her 35-year career to educating youth, teaching history, civics, economics, English, and journalism. She began her tenure at Greensboro Day School (GDS) in 1986 as an AP History teacher, transitioning to College Guidance Director. She was a wonderful model for colleagues and students, always sharing the right way of looking at things and doing so with wisdom, kindness and compassion. She won the Outstanding Teacher of American History and the Hendrix Award.

In 2021, the Fish Upton College Counseling Center was dedicated in her honor. For more than two decades, Jackie was a part of the college counseling team. An endowment was established to recognize her contributions to the development of the GDS College Counseling office. Jackie shared her passion for education with her GDS students for 27 years. The insight, thoroughness, honesty, and kindness she brought to the program earned the respect, admiration, and appreciation of students, parents, and college admissions officers across the country, establishing individualized college counseling as a signature feature of Greensboro Day School.

As an active member of West Market Street United Methodist Church, Jackie served numerous volunteer roles: President of the United Methodist Women; Chair, Council of Ministries; Chair, Administrative Board; Methodist Youth Fellowship Counselor; Chair, Worship Commission; Outreach Commission; Pastor & Parish Committee; and was an adult Sunday School teacher for over 40 years.

Jackie also was a member of the Junior League of Greensboro, serving as Editor, Greensboro Junior League Magazine; Nominating Committee; Corresponding Secretary; and Personnel Vice President.

Active while her children attended Guilford County Schools, Jackie volunteered at Hampton Elementary School, PTA Board, Creative Arts Chair; Archer Elementary School, Junior Great Books discussion leader; and Aycock Junior High School, PTA President.

Other volunteer contributions include: Editor, Greensboro Urban Ministry News; Tutor, Hope Academy; Wesley Long Hospital Cancer Center volunteer; Sharahome Board of Directors; and Senior Wheels volunteer driver.

Jackie’s friends and family will remember her passion for music ranging from classical piano to Josh Groban. She often sat at church to listen to the organ after worship until it concluded and enjoyed concerts in the park with a picnic. She was also a voracious reader, loved poetry, cooking, gardening, and was a master at crossword puzzles.

Jackie is survived by her husband, Jack; daughters, Brooke (Eric) and Blaire (Rocky); and granddaughter, Lauren.

A visitation will be held from 4:00 - 6:00 pm, on Sunday, December 11th, 2022 at Hanes Lineberry Funeral Home located at 515 North Elm Street, Greensboro, NC 27401. A celebration of life will be held on Monday, December 12th, 2022 at West Market Street United Methodist Church at 302 West Market Street, Greensboro, NC 27401 at 2:00 pm. Pastor Beth Crissman will be officiating.

For I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Jesus Christ, Our Lord. - Romans 8: 38-39

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts can be made in Jackie’s honor to West Market Street United Methodist Church at 302 West Market Street, Greensboro, NC 27401.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared by visiting www.haneslineberryfhnorthelm.com.