Nell Upright

Nell Rudulph Upright, age 77, of Tuscaloosa, Alabama, reached her heavenly home on Sunday, November 13th at Aspire in Northport, Alabama. A graveside service for Ms. Upright will be 3:00 p.m. Wednesday, November 16th, at the Carrolls Creek Baptist Church Cemetery in Northport, Alabama, with visitation in the church sanctuary one hour prior to the service.

Nell was preceded in death by her mother, Nell R. Upright of Selma, Alabama, and brother, Pete Upright of West Palm Beach, Florida. She is survived by her sister, June P. Hogue; niece, Terri Gard (Earl); nephews, Mark Hogue (Sallie) and Mike Hogue (Melanie); great-nephew, Keith Gard (Mackenzie); great-nieces, Monica Stout (Jimmy), Meredith Greene (Ryan), Marla Boswell (Kyle); great-great-nephew, James Stout; great-great-niece, Madison Gard; and sister-in-law, Sandy Upright.

Nell was born in Melrose, Illinois, on September 9, 1945. She graduated in 1965 from A.G. Parrish High School in Selma and attended Judson College where she received her Bachelor of Science degree in English secondary education in 1969. She received her master’s degree from The University of Alabama in 1974.

Nell taught various levels of English for over twenty-seven years at Southside High School in Selma, Northport Junior High School in Northport, and Tuscaloosa County High School in Northport. She loved everything about teaching and motivated and inspired so many students as well as coworkers in her career. If you didn’t know how to diagram a sentence after taking her class, you just weren’t paying attention. Even in her last days, she was still critiquing grammar and teaching others.

Nell loved and had great faith in her Savior and Lord Jesus Christ and served Him at Carrolls Creek Baptist Church in various capacities including vacation Bible school and choir. She regularly contributed to several children’s ministries and had such a strong desire to help those who needed it most.

Nell also loved animals and had several cats and dogs that were very special to her in her life, including her last Sheltie, Tramp. She was a long-time contributor to the Humane Society and was a strong advocate for animals that needed a loving home.

She loved her family dearly and enjoyed helping her sister June raise her children and grandchildren. “Aunt Nell” was a bonus grandmother to Monica, Keith, Meredith, and Marla and could not have been more loved. Nell’s sense of humor was direct, yet loving, and made everyone around her feel like family. She was fondly remembered for her bright red lipstick, intense organization, vast teapot collection, quick comebacks, and her willingness to comply by responding “okie dokie,” just to keep things simple.

Serving as pallbearers will be Ryan Greene, Kyle Boswell, Phillip Gurganus, Rod Ericson, Kevin Morgan, and Ralph Cabaniss.

A special thanks goes to Nell’s loving caregivers Vicki White, Latricia Johnson, and Sheri White as well as the dedicated staff at Aspire Physical Recovery Center and Oasis Hospice.

Honorary pallbearers are members of Carrolls Creek Baptist Church, Dr. Stephen Browne, the nurses of Manderson Cancer Center and DCH Regional Medical Center (fifth and sixth floor).

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Carrolls Creek Baptist Church and the Humane Society of West Alabama.