UPOLE

Johnsie Ritter Upole, of West End, passed away peacefully Friday, July 15, 2011.
Funeral services were held Tuesday, July 19, at West End Presbyterian Church, with Associate Pastor Chip Pope officiating.
Johnsie was born March 28, 1911, one of 11 children, to Charles W. and Ida B. Ritter. She was an active member of West End Presbyterian Church since 1922, where her parents were charter members. She was a proud member of the first winning Moore County basketball team, and a profound lover of animals and UNC basketball. She worked as a postal clerk for many years. She was a devoted mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Johnsie was recognized on NBC’s “Today Show” when she reached the century mark.
We would like to thank her devoted caretakers at Magnolia Gardens and FirstHealth Hospice for all their love and care. Johnsie will be greatly missed.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Floyd H. Upole. She is survived by her sons, Larry L. Upole and wife, Linda Whitesell Upole, and Floyd H. Upole Jr.; her daughters, Sherrie Upole O’Connor and husband, Y. Michael O’Connor, and Judith Upole Edwards and husband, Leonard G. Edwards; grandchildren, Larry L. Upole Jr. and wife, Ellen, Audrey Chacon and husband, Victor, Floyd Harold Upole III and wife, Susan, Wanda Upole, Roger Upole, Amanda Upole, Y. Michael O’Connor Jr., Kelly O. Ryan and husband, TC, Heather O. Zophy and husband, Pete, and Mark A. O’Connor and wife, Karla; great-grandchildren, Sarah Upole, Kaelyn Bass, Connor Zophy, Cade Zophy, Ethan Ryan, Nathan Ryan, Molly Upole, Megan Upole, RJ Upole, Chris Higgins and Daniel Higgins; sister Eva R. Clark; and brother Charles Ritter.
Memorials may be made to West End Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 13, West End, NC 27376; or FirstHealth Hospice and Palliative Care, 150 Applecross Road, Pinehurst, NC 28374. Online condolences may be made at www.bolesfuneralhome.com.
Boles Funeral Home of Seven Lakes is assisting the family.