Audrey Colleen McDonald Upright

Audrey Colleen McDonald Upright, 89, passed away peacefully on Thursday, October 3, 2024 at her home. Colleen was born November 15, 1934 in Iredell County to the late Percy Leroy McDonald and Nova Lee Brotherton McDonald. She was also preceded in death by the love of her life, Larry Darrell Upright, and her beloved son Joel Allen Upright. 

Left to cherish her memory are her loving eldest child, son Michael Darrell Upright (Lisa Deal) of China Grove, and her devoted daughter and best friend Jill McLain (Phil) of Kannapolis. She is also survived by the real apples of her eye, three granddaughters (affectionately referred to as “her girls”) McKenzie Upright Brady (Logan), Lindsay McLain Leece (Jason), and Laura McLain, all of Charlotte. She was honored to carry the title of Granny, or as everyone commonly referred to her, simply “Gran.”

Colleen retired from Cannon Mills after many years of service. In her retirement, she found great joy in spending time with and tending to her husband and hosting the whole family for Sunday lunches at her home. Ever the cook and fashionista, she enjoyed surprising everyone with her latest culinary concoction and shopping to curate the trendiest outfits anyone had ever seen on a grandmother. She was known for her quick wit, her often hilarious honesty, her affinity for daytime and reality television, and her ever-present sweet tooth. She was immensely proud of her family and lived to spoil “her girls” even into their adulthood. Most of all, she was quietly unassuming and embodied strength, generosity, and grace. There has never been and will never be another like her; the one, the incomparable Gran. 

The family will receive friends on Tuesday, October 8, 2024, from 2:00 to 3:00 PM at Whitley’s Funeral Home, 1748 Dale Earnhardt Blvd. Kannapolis. The Funeral Service to follow at 3:00 PM with the Rev. Rodney Taylor and Rev. Eddie Spencer officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to First Presbyterian Church of Kannapolis or Hospice of Cabarrus County. Online condolences can be made at www.whitleysfuneralhome.com