Mildred June (Collier) Upton

Mildred June Collier Upton, 82, of Waverly Hall, GA died Saturday, September 24, 2022 at Columbus Hospice House. When June left this world she took part of our hearts with her.

A celebration of life service will be held 10:30 AM Thursday, September 29, 2022 at Olive Branch United Methodist Church, Highway 315 and O’Neal Road, Talbot County Georgia. Interment will be held at Culpepper Cemetery according to McMullen Funeral Home and Crematory, 3874 Gentian Blvd. Columbus, GA 31907.

June was born November 18, 1939, daughter of the late Louis Andrew Collier and Mary Elizabeth Collier.

On January 25, 1958, she married the love of her life, Leroy Upton, Jr. Together they raised four children and built a marriage filled with love and laughter for more than 64 years. 

June retired from the Department of Defense at Fort Benning, Georgia, where she worked for 34 years as a seamstress. She is fondly remembered for her work making military guidons, flags, Olympic marksmanship vests, and military patches. She was especially proud of the military uniforms that were created for the Fort Benning 1976 Bi-Centennial Parade. Those uniforms that she and her team hand crafted are on display in the National Infantry Museum.  

After retirement, June spent many days with Leroy on the back porch watching the cows graze and the sunset. She enjoyed spending time with family and friends playing cards, board games, and putting puzzles together. She also loved playing computer games and keeping up with family and friends online. Annually, she helped her family host Talbot County’s Chamber of Commerce Independence Day celebration and fireworks display that has been held at Upton’s Lake for more than two decades.

Preceding her in death are her parents; five siblings, sister Bobbie Spain, brothers Ronald Collier, Larry Collier, Richard Collier, and Bryan Collier; three of her children, Marilyn L. Plummer, Richard W. Upton, and Michael W. Upton; and her son-in-law, Richard A. Brogdon.

Survivors include her husband, Leroy Upton, Jr.; daughter, Jerri Dennise Brogdon both of Talbot County; son-in-law, Daniel Christopher Plummer of Moultrie; granddaughter, Miranda Lynn Stamm of Talbotton; grandsons, Robert Benjamin Brogdon (Rachel) of Talbot County; Michael W. Upton Jr. and Aaron Upton both of Oklahoma City, OK; great-granddaughters, Emily Marie McCormick and Charlee Nicole McCormick; and great-grandson, Robert Chase Brogdon; siblings, brother Gary Collier of Jacksonville, FL and sisters, Glenda Strausser (Don) of Jacksonville FL, and Dorothy Moss (Tommy) of Ellerslie, GA.  She also leaves behind many who lovingly called her Grandma June.

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