Betsy Cox Upshur

Betsy Cox Upshur, of Lynchburg, died March 9, 2012. She was the wife of Dr. Thomas T. Upshur for 70 years.

Born September 27, 1916 in Columbus, MS, she was the daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Warren M. Cox of Mobile, Alabama.

She was a graduate of the University of Montevallo in Alabama and received a Master\"™s Degree in Education from Lynchburg College. She taught a number of places through the years including Atmore, AL., Linkhorne Jr. High, E. C. Glass High School, Central Virginia Community College and Phillips Business College.   For many years she worked as receptionist, bookkeeper and office manager in the dental office of her husband, and for three years worked in the alumnae office of Randolph-Macon Woman\"™s College.

Betsy was a longtime member and former deacon of First Presbyterian Church where she served faithfully in many capacities including the establishment of the Columbarium Garden there. She had a great love of life and people, was a dedicated mother, grandmother and great grandmother, and also enjoyed bridge, tennis, sailing and entertaining.

Among her many community activities, she was President and Treasurer of The Woman\"™s Club of Lynchburg, twice President of Oakwood Garden Club, President of American Field Service, Treasurer of The Child Care Center, held several offices in The Dinner Dance Club and many PTA organizations, was President of the Williams Home Auxiliary Board and President of both the Virginia Dental Auxiliary and the Lynchburg Dental Auxiliary.

She was also active in the Women\"™s\"™ Resource Center where she was director of grants for displaced homemakers, was an active board member of Keep Lynchburg Beautiful Committee, and was instrumental in the establishment of the Dolphin Fountain at the City Market by the Woman\"™s Club of Lynchburg.

In addition to her husband, she is survived by her five children: Diana U. Smack and her husband Kent, of Lynchburg, Elizabeth T. Upshur of Lynchburg, Fontaine U. Nolan and her husband Charles, of Greensboro, N. C., Carol U. Salmons and her husband Paul, of Opelika, AL, and Thomas T. Upshur, Jr. and his wife, Marjette, of Lynchburg.

Also surviving her are six grandsons who will cherish memories of her teaching them to sail on Smith Mountain Lake at \"Point Clear\": Stephen K. Smack, II and wife Karen of Portland, OR, Taylor Smack and wife Mandi of Afton, Va., Chris Nolan and wife April of Charlotte, NC, Scott Upshur of Telluride, CO and Jonathan and Matthew Salmons of Opelika, AL. Three great grandchildren survive her also: Hayden and Evan Smack and Emerson Nolan.

The only daughter in a family of eight children, Betsy was predeceased by all seven of her brothers: Dr. Warren Cox, Jr., Commander Gideon Cox, Dr. Philip Cox, Rev. Augustus Cox, Marcus Cox, Dr. Murdock Cox and David Cox.

The family would like to acknowledge longtime caregivers Sarah Wilson and Stephanie Cannon for their loving care and support during her illness.

A memorial service will be conducted on Saturday, March 17, 2012 at 2:00 pm at First Presbyterian Church, V.E.S. Road in the Columbarium Garden by the Reverend Dr. John Scholer with a reception following in the Narthex of the church.

In lieu of flowers, please consider First Presbyterian Church/Columbarium Garden, The Woman\"™s\"™ Club of Lynchburg/Scholarship Endowment Fund, Hospice of Lynchburg or the Betsy Cox Upshur Fund of the Greater Lynchburg Community Trust.

Tharp Funeral Home and Crematory, Lynchburg is assisting the family,