Rosa Stone Upchurch

Rosa Stone Upchurch, 76 of Wilmington, NC passed away on November 8, 2025 after a 7-month battle with Stage 4 Mantle Cell Lymphoma. As was her nature, she fought like a warrior to the very end.

Rosa was born June 26, 1949 and grew up in various areas throughout North Carolina, attending Hoke County High School and Sandhills Community College. She retired after many years working for the NC Department of Transportation. Rosa was known for her incredible sense of humor and infectious laugh. As much as she loved her family, she also adored her cats and spent time volunteering for local feral cat organizations or just helping random kitties that came her way.

Rosa is survived by her daughters, Melissa Stone Sale of Livermore, CA and Alexandria Upchurch of Wilmington, NC, daughter in-law, Ruby Guevarra of Livermore, CA and her two grandsons, Jacob Sale of Tampa, FL and Harper Vincent of Raleigh, NC. She is also survived by her mother, Virigina Stone and siblings George Stone, Jr, Ronald Stone and Rebecca Stone. She is preceded in death by her father, George Oliver Stone and her siblings, Anthony Stone and Linda Mabry.

A celebration of life will be held on Friday, November 14 th at 4PM at the Community Congregational Church at 141 N. Bennett Street in Southern Pines, NC. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her honor to friends of felines of Wilmington https://friendsofelines.org, UNC SECU family house https://www.secufh.org or Lower Cape Fear
Life Center (hospice) https://lifecare.org