MARY HELEN MCKEE UPTON
Mary Helen McKee Upton, also known as “Ms. Mary,” passed peacefully from this earth with loved ones by her side in Pampa, Texas, on Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026, at the age of 85 years, 2 months, 2 weeks and 3 days.
She was born on Dec. 2, 1940, in Hedley, Texas, to Daddy Roy and Ruby McKee. She was the youngest of seven children.
Mary Helen married the love of her life, J.C. Upton, on Feb. 15, 1958, in Hedley, Texas. They were blessed with four children, Cindy Horton, Debbie Arnold, Tim Upton and Casey Upton. She was the loving grandmother to 18 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild, as well as the aunt to numerous nieces and nephews.
Mary Helen and J.C. lived happily together for well over 50 years in Hedley, Amarillo and Memphis, Texas.
Ms. Mary was loved by all she ever met. Her quick and friendly smile warmed everyone’s hearts. No one was ever considered to be a stranger in her home, because once she met you, she considered you to be her friend. She was a grocery store clerk for United Supermarkets and Fiesta Foods in Amarillo, and then, Davis Thriftway in Memphis, retiring from there in the early 2000s.
She had a servant’s heart and a willing spirit to help anyone in need. She loved all babies and would always make a beeline for them when in her presence. She had many people in her family, but she also had a special way of making non-family and friends feel like they were her family too. She had a wonderful way of making you feel loved, welcomed and right at home around her.
Ms. Mary was an ornery one though, even once racing the local sheriff in Hedley while growing up. She enjoyed cooking for others, especially her homemade brownies. She enjoyed supporting her grandkids at their activities and attending their graduations. She enjoyed joking and telling stories.
Mary Helen will be missed for the rest of our lives until we see her again one day in heaven. She was a member of First Baptist Church in Memphis, and she loved serving the community through the church.
She was preceded in death by her husband, J.C. Upton; her daughter, Debbie Arnold; her son, Tim Upton; her granddaughter, Britney Rodriguez; her grandson, T.J. Upton; both of her parents, Daddy Roy and Ruby McKee; and five older siblings, Leota Linder, Sue Weatherly, Betty Jo Hedgecoke, Bill McKee and LeRoy McKee.
She is survived by her daughter, Cindy Horton, of Amarillo; her son, Casey Upton and wife Cindy, of Pampa; her many grandchildren, great-grandchildren and greatgreat- grandchild; her sister, Mattie Lou Nivens-Brumley, of Memphis; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and loved ones, as well as dear friends and neighbors.
Her service took place at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026, at First Baptist Church in Memphis, with Bro. Brady Montgomery, of Paducah, Texas, officiating. She will then be laid to rest next to her late husband at Fairview Cemetery in Memphis. The family entrusted funeral arrangements to the care of Robertson Funeral Directors of Memphis.
Family requests any memorial donations to be made to BSA Hospice of the Southwest.
Sign the online guest book at robertsonfuneral.com.
