Pansy Johnson Hughes Upton, our beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend to everyone she met, died peacefully at Solace Hospice in Asheville, NC on December 15, 2016.

Daughter of the late Charley and Hassie Johnson, she was born on February 22, 1918. She was married to Festus Hughes and Claude Upton, both deceased. She is survived by three daughters: Helen Hughes Thomas Sloan (Jim Thomas, Terry Sloan, deceased), Anderson, SC; Jo Mills (Charles), McDonough, GA; Sue Greene (Tom), Bakersville, NC; Grandchildren: David Thomas (Karen), Moore, SC; Greg Mills (Amy), Fuquay-Varina, NC; Mike Greene (Melissa), Bakersville, NC; Kimberly Mills Riemer (Gary), Lindenhurst, IL; Mark Greene (Revonda), Bakersville, NC; Great grandchildren: Kristen Thomas Lambert, Charlotte, NC; Seth Greene, Bakersville, NC; Brandi Greene Robinson, Bakersville, NC; Ansley Mills, Fuquay-Varina, NC; Siblings: Elva Hoilman, Jesse Johnson, Lloyd Johnson, Harvey Johnson, Daisy Johnson, Vaughtie Johnson Burleson, Mary Johnson Silvers, Jean Johnson Travis, all deceased.

Pansy lived and raised her children in the community of Bandana, NC. She had lived with her daughter and son-in-law, Sue and Tom Greene in Bakersville, NC for the past twelve years. She was a member of Roan Mountain Missionary Baptist Church and a former member of Silver Chapel Baptist Church.

She was known to many as the lady with the "golden hands". Up until the last few years, she was able to create wonderful quilts and handiworks for those she loved. Her talents in the kitchen, too, are among the most cherished memories by her family. Her legacy can be defined by how she lived, loved and cared for her family by her deeds and actions. She was the epitome of a devoted wife and loving mother.

We wish to thank Mission Memorial, Solace Hospice, and our family and friends for all the support and wonderful care.

In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to the Mitchell Senior Center at 152 Ledger School Road, Bakersville, NC 28705 or CarePartners Hospice Solace Center at PO Box 5779, Asheville, NC 28813.

Funeral services will be at Henline-Hughes Funeral Home in Bakersville at 11:00 am Saturday, December 17, 2016 with Revs. Mark McKinney, Daniel Whetstine and Tim Fowler officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service. Interment will follow in the Silver Chapel Baptist Church Cemetery in Bandana.