Caroline Sue Upchurch

Carolyn Sue Upchurch died on Wednesday, April 8, 2020. Her family and friends will celebrate her life of 72 years at First United Methodist Church in Lubbock, Texas, at some point following the conclusion of the COVID-19 virus.  You are encouraged to sign a virtual guestbook by selecting the icon and share memories and expressions of sympathy at the end of the obituary.Carolyn Sue was born on September 30, 1947, to Taylor and Iona Enmon in Wilson, Arkansas. She married Hal Upchurch on October 7, 1989, in Las Vegas, Nevada. Anyone who knows Carolyn knows that family meant everything to her. Carolyn’s love of family was instilled at an early age, growing up with her eight siblings.  They moved from Arkansas to Texas, eventually landing in Pecos. She married Herbert Frank Brych, moved to Monahans, and had three daughters, Rebecca, Catherine, and Carrie. They later divorced. After a few years on her own, she met Hal Upchurch, and he swept her off her feet. They married in 1989. She and Hal made many wonderful memories together – from trips to New York, the deep South, Italy, San Francisco, Alaska, Niagra Falls, to zip lining in Hawaii. While zip-lining may not have been a favorite activity, it made her proud to know they were the oldest zip liners that the company had seen.  Residing in Monahans for most of their marriage, Carolyn enjoyed making her home a sanctuary – she had a keen eye for decorating and planting and spending time outdoors. They had recently retired and moved to Lubbock, Texas. Over 30 years later, they were still a shining of example what a couple should be.When thinking of her, the first word that comes to mind most often is beautiful. Indeed, she was a beautiful lady. But hidden beneath all that beauty was so much more, which was evident to all who knew her. She was the rock for her family, with a patience that was enviable. Her inner strength seemed unshakeable, especially as she battled and won previous bouts with cancer. She handled whatever life threw her way with grace. She loved to tell stories to her children and grandchildren – some true, some not – in a way that made you believe it all. She was a prankster who executed some epic practical jokes – mostly at the delight of her family. From dressing up as a hillbilly to greet her daughter’s new boyfriend to hiding in a tree and jumping out to ‘surprise’ her grandkids at Halloween, to installing a music box in the toilet roll just to mess with Hal, she made life fun. The loss of her light, her humor, her strength, and her total beauty will make our world a lot less colorful.Survivors include her husband, Hal Upchurch; their children, Rebecca “Becky” May and husband, Dennis; Cathy Balent and husband, Jim; Carrie Hisel and husband, Gabe; Todd Upchurch and wife, Lisa; and Tory Upchurch and wife, Clee; and Whitney Upchurch; eight grandchildren, Austin Hickman, Emily Hisel, Parker May, Caroline Hisel, Jackson Hisel, Ben Balent, Jude Upchurch, Edie Upchurch; twelve great-grandchildren; sister, Verna Long, and husband, Paul; five brothers, Vernon Enmon, and wife, Roseanne; Danny Enmon, Jerry Enmon and wife, Donna; Ronny Enmon, and Terry Joe Enmon and wife, Jan.She was preceded in death by her parents, Taylor Vernon and Iona Enmon; brother, Bobby Enmon; sister, Shirley Shortt; and grandchild, Sam Balent.