Gena Lucille Upright Loper, 60, of Statesville, N.C., passed away on Friday, April 1, 2022, at Carolina Caring – Hospice & Palliative Care in Newton, N.C. Born on March 19, 1962, in Iredell County, she was the daughter of the late Charlie Clayton Upright Sr. and Phyllis Ann Simmons Upright.

Mrs. Loper enjoyed reading, coloring, and doing Sudoku, going to the beach, and camping as a family. She loved her coffee and would drink it all day no matter what the temperature was that day. She could always be seen smiling and had a green thumb.

In addition to her parents, Charlie and Phyllis Upright, she was preceded in death by her husband, Robin Eugene Loper; her daughter, Michelle Loper; and her brother, Clayton Upright.

Those left to cherish her memory include her daughters, Wendy Loper, Stephanie Privette and husband Shane, and Melissa Souther and husband, Nate; grandchildren, Alexandria Warnock, Cullen Souther, Avery Warnock, Khloe Privette, and Harlan Privette; four great-grandchildren; sister, Gloria Benfield and husband David; brothers, James Upright and wife Patricia, and Bryson Upright; several nieces and nephews; and her dog, “Peanut.”

A private service to celebrate Mrs. Loper’s life will be held by her family.

Online condolences may be made to the family at www.nicholsonfunerals.com.

Nicholson Funeral Home has the honor of serving the family.