Christopher “Woody” Derek Upchurch, 34, of Hamlet, passed away unexpectedly Sunday, Jan. 21, 2024 at FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital, Richmond.
He was born Feb. 24, 1989, in Lee County, son of Catherine Wilbanks Luke and the late Christopher Ray Upchurch.
Woody, as he was known to everyone, worked for CSX Railroad and was a hard worker. He was an avid, competitive sports fan, especially loving the Pittsburgh Steelers, Atlanta Braves and North Carolina Tar Heels. Woody was always the life of the party and loved making people laugh. He loved all of his family but especially his daughter, Avery, who was his whole world. He will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved him.
He was preceded in death by his father, Christopher Ray Upchurch.
Woody is survived by his daughter, Avery Ray Upchurch; his mother and stepfather, Catherine and Ed Luke of Hamlet; maternal grandparents, Richard and Martha Brigman of Pittsboro; paternal grandfather, Ray Upchurch of Broadway; sisters, Jaime Hatami (Dillen) of Browns Summit, Sydney Upchurch (Timothy Webb) of Rockingham, and Mandi Frady (Michael) of Sanford; stepsister, Kayla Conner (Bradley); stepbrother, Gregory Luke (Jemma); uncle, Rick Wilbanks (Amy) of Hamlet; nephews, Kye and Coen; his best buddy since childhood, Jimmy Lee Holbrook (Kristin) of Willow Springs; and the mother of his daughter, Michelle Brown of Hamlet.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, Jan. 25, 2024 from 4-6 p.m. at Harrington Funeral Home.
A Celebration of Life service will immediately follow the service, beginning at 6 p.m., in the chapel of Harrington Funeral Home.
Harrington Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the Upchurch family.
Online condolences may be made at harringtonfuneralhome.com.
