Friends,

I am writing with the sad news of the passing of Gertrude Judd Upperman ’69 on Wednesday in Greensboro. She was a trailblazing African-American student in the 1960s and a dedicated and influential alumni leader for Guilford for many years.

Gertrude grew up two blocks away from campus. Her great-grandfather owned land along Dolley Madison Road, and he worked at the college, as did other members of her immediate and extended family. Her father owned a business in the community.

She was a member of Persimmon Grove AME Church, and that is where family and friends will celebrate her life Thursday, Aug. 10. New Garden Friends School was established by Guilford administrators in the church’s basement more than 50 years ago, and she served as a trustee of the school.

Gertrude was among Guilford’s first African-American students, having arrived only a year before James McCorkle '66 and Linda Moore Banks '66 became the College's first African-American graduates. She was a charter member of Brothers and Sisters in Blackness, the first Black student organization on campus.

In service to the College, Gertrude was a member of the Alumni Association Board of Directors and was among the organizers of the Black Alumni of Guilford College (BAGC). She served on the Friends of the Library board and took part in presidential search interviews.

In 2019, she received the Charles C. Hendricks '40 Distinguished Service Award, the oldest and most notable of Guilford’s alumni awards. Read more about Gertrude in this story that was published the year she received the award.

A public viewing will be held on Wednesday, Aug. 9, from 11 am-5 pm at Hargett Funeral Service on East Market Street. A homegoing celebration will be held Aug. 10 at Persimmon Grove with visitation at 12:30 pm followed by the service at 1 pm.

We are grateful for Gertude’s life and dedication to the College. Please hold her family and friends in the Light as they mourn her loss.

Warmly,

Kyle Farmbry
President