Helen Coffer Gupton

Helen Coffer Gupton passed away on Monday, June 24, 2024, surrounded by her family on their 68th wedding anniversary. She was the wife of Dr. Stephen Thomas (“Tommy”) Gupton, Jr. (deceased 11-9-2012), they married on June 24, 1956. She was the daughter of Virginia and Dalton Edmond Coffer, and born and raised in Sanford, North Carolina. Helen was a loving spouse, mother, friend, sister, sister-in-law, aunt, grandmother (“Trish Pop”) and great grandmother.

When she moved to Chapel Hill, she met Tommy, the love of her life. They both worked at UNC Memorial Hospital, where she was an operating room nurse, and he was a physician, studying to become a Neurologist.

Tommy called Helen (nickname “Trish”) the “wind beneath his wings” because she always supported and encouraged him throughout his career. Being the mother of six children, three boys and three girls, along with being a wife of a physician, kept her extremely busy, but somehow, she always managed to get the job done. Helen was a wonderful seamstress, and the best carpool mom — stopping after school to let the kids get a snack and drink at the convenience store at North Hills. And she was always dressed to the nines.

She loved being a mother and wife, as well as being a leading participant in her many community activities. She was a lifetime member of the Wake County Medical Society Alliance and was recognized for 50 years membership in 2020. In addition, she was a member of The National Society of Colonial Dames in the State of New York, longtime member of White Memorial Presbyterian Church, Carolina Country Club, and Coral Bay Club, past member of North Carolina Museum of History Associates, NC Art Museum, and supporter of the NC Symphony.

She loved to travel with Tommy, enjoying everywhere together — like local beaches, West Coast cities, private Caribbean cruises, an African safari, the green hills of Ireland, castles of Scotland, Salzburg, Zurich and even Oktoberfest in Germany.

An avid reader and lifelong learner, Helen was also a perpetual cheerleader for her family always offering encouragement to work hard and strive for excellence. Whenever anyone needed help, Helen was there in full support. Since Tommy’s passing, Helen was able to spend more time at the beach, at their Pine Knoll Shores home … doing her favorite things, sitting on the porch, watching the ocean, pelicans, and sea gulls, and enjoying oysters, shrimp, and soft-shell crabs.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Dr. Stephen Thomas Gupton, Jr.; her brothers, Newlin Edmond Coffer and Dr. Bertram Watts Coffer; her sister, Carol Coffer Thompson; her mother and father, Virginia and Dalton Edmond Coffer; her brothers-in-law, William Richard Gupton, Walter Elijah Gupton, Frank Robert Gupton; and her great grandchild, Ray James Davisson.

Helen is survived by her sister, Marilyn Coffer Lambe; as well as her immediate children, Deborah Van Zijl (Rick), Diane Becton (Paul), Stephen Thomas Gupton, III (Noelle), Cathy Jurgensen, John Bradley Gupton (Becky), Richard Dalton Gupton (Natasha). She is also survived by her 16 grandchildren whom

she adored, Marguerite Van Zijl, Alexander Van Zijl, Paul Wesley Becton, Jr., Thomas Becton, Catherine Becton Grove (Tyler), Stephen Thomas Gupton, IV, Anna Gupton Tallent (Matt), Ginny Jurgensen Stiles (Michael), Augie Jurgensen (Brooke), Anderson Jurgensen (Mallory), Hanna Jurgensen, Bradley Gupton, Jr., Sarah Gupton Keller (Jonathan), Jacob Gupton, , Madison Gupton and Mackenzie Gupton; and 2 precious great-grandchildren, Aslan Jurgensen and Hadassah Jurgensen; as well as loving sisters-in-law; and many beloved nieces, nephews, and cousins.

The family thanks the nurses, nurses’ aides, and physicians in CVICU and MICU at WakeMed Raleigh for their committed care of our mom, Helen.

A celebration of her life will be held at White Memorial Presbyterian Church on Tuesday, July 23rd at 11:00 a.m.; immediately after the family will greet friends and family in Pickard Hall. A private graveside service with family will be held at Oakwood Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Helen’s name to the WakeMed Foundation, 3000 New Bern Ave. Raleigh, NC 27610 or www.wakemed.org or the Alexander Family YMCA, We Build People Campaign, 1603 Hillsborough Street, Raleigh, NC 27605 or www.ymcatriangle.org/donate/annual-campaign-giving and select Alexander/SE Raleigh Y.

At the convenience of her family, Brown-Wynne Funeral Home & Crematory is entrusted with service arrangements. Condolences may be expressed at https://www.dignitymemorial.com/funeral-homes/north-carolina/raleigh/brown-wynne-funeral-home/4232