The Homegoing Celebration Honoring
Sunrise May 15, 1935
Sunset January 6, 2017
Family Hour 10:00 a.m.
Homegoing Celebration 11:00 a.m.
Saturday, January 14, 2017 Pentecostal Temple C.O.G.I.C. 30101 Parkwood, Inkster, MI 48141 Bishop Issac King Jr., Officiating
“ For what if some did not believe? shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect? God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged." Romans 3:3-4 2|
A Homegoing Celebration
Order of Service
- Elder Kellen Brooks Master of Ceremony Organ Prelude
Elder Robert Moore
Processional 1 Prayer
Supt. Vincent Matthews
Scripture 1 Old Testament
Miss'y. LaShon Jackson
1 New Testament
Elder Cornelius Byrd
Selection
Southwest Michigan Agape Jurisdiction Choir
Words of Comfort (Two Minutes Please)
New Christ Temple C.O.G.I.C.
Mother Annie Paul
Local Church Resolution
Sister Leola Hines
Judah District
District Missionary Patricia Brown
Mother Loretta Whitsett
Southwest Michigan Agape Jurisdiction
Selection 1 Special Tribute
Acknowledgement of Cards and Condolences, and Reading of the Obituary
Southwest Michigan Agape Jurisdiction Choir Sister Deeda Paul District Missionary Karen Corner
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The Obituary of
Mother
Nellie Upshaw
What a glorious day it was for Tobe and Mary Copprue Sr., when they welcomed a little baby girl
on May 15, 1935 in Drew, Mississippi. “Nellie”, as she was named, was always an exceptional child so full of life, and a personality second to none.
As a young child around the age of 4, this little girl was taken by her father to Sunday School
Conventions and revivals, placed upon a wood block and did she sing! Yes, this child had a special
talent because her parents did like the scripture says in Proverbs 22:6, “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.”
Continuing her training, she became Choir Director, Sunday School Teacher and Young People
Willing Workers President. While working in the church, she met and married the Late Lorris Upshaw, Sr. and to this union 8 talented children were born.
In 1955, Mother Upshaw at the leading of her husband, moved to Detroit, Michigan, and united with the Mack Avenue Church of God In Christ under the leadership of the Late Bishop I.W. Winans. Later, under the move of God, the Upshaw family moved their membership to East
Vernor Church of God In Christ under the leadership of the Late Superintendent Dan Brown, where she served faithfully in many capacities.
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A Homegoing Celebration
After the Late Pastor Lorris Upshaw, Sr. received the call of God to the Pastorate of Christ Temple
Church of God In Christ (a.k.a. Old Christ Temple), the Lord used Mother Upshaw in a profound way. She conducted prayer revivals, and an outreach and teaching ministry that resulted in an outbreak of
souls. The Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved, and in 1979, the ministry relocated to 10001 Hayes and became known as New Christ Temple Church of God In Christ.
This mighty Woman of God fasted, prayed and sought the face of God, in order to help move the
ministry forward. God used Mother mightily in the field of Evangelism and the sick were healed, souls were saved and demons were cast out.
Mother Upshaw has worked in many capacities too numerous to list, including Historic First
Jurisdiction of Michigan, Greater Metropolitan Fellowship of Michigan, and until her health failed, the Southwest Michigan Agape Jurisdiction.
A ‘Great Matriarch’ has gone on before us, but leaves behind a great legacy for many to follow! On Friday, January 6, 2017, Mother Nellie Upshaw was called from labor to reward. Mother Upshaw leaves to cherish her memory and embrace her legacy 8 admirable children: Anetta
(Elder Cornelius Byrd), Pastor Lorris Upshaw, Jr. (Stephanie), Shernetta (Superintendent Alan Evans), Michael (Valerie) of O’Fallon, Missouri, Vanessa (Deacon Greg Slack, Sr.), Pamela
(Warren Rawlins) of Fredericksburg, Virginia, Jeannie (Gregory Cook, Jr.), and Maurice (Riccia);
Granddaughter Erica Slack who resided with her; 22 Grandchildren (one preceded her in death); 23 Great-Grandchildren (one preceded her in death); 2 Sisters: Mother Angela Williams of
Gardenia, California and Mother Annie Wade of Greenwood, Mississippi; 1 Brother: Robert
Copprue (Gloria); a host of sister-in-laws, nieces, nephews, relatives and friends; the Southwest
Michigan Agape Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction; and “The Powerhouse of the Eastside” – New Christ Temple Church of God In Christ.
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Order of Service
Continued
Family Tribute
Children
Selection
Miss'y. Vanessa Slack
Clergy (Two Minutes Please)
Judah District
Supt. John D. Beverly Sr.
Southwest Michigan Agape Jurisdiction
Supt. Darin Burns
Introduction of Eulogist
Administrative Assistant Tommy C. Vanover
Sermonic Solo
Sister Pamela Upshaw-Rawlins
1 Eulogy
Bishop Isaac King Jr. Prelate, Southwest Michigan Agape Jurisdiction Recessional Postlude
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Elder Robert Moore
A Homegoing Celebration
I'll Always Miss You I cried when you passed away, I still cry today; Although I loved you dearly, I couldn’t make you stay; Your golden heart stopped beating, hard working hands at rest; God broke my heart to prove to me, he only takes the best. Love you always and forever,
Your Baby Boy Lando
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Pallbearers
Dameon Brown Alan Evans II Darius Haywood Ronald S. Hill Corey Micah Matthew Rawlins II
Gregory Slack Jr. Landon Slack Gabriel Upshaw Kyle Upshaw Lorris Upshaw III
Honorary Pallbearers
Bishop Meredith Bussell Bishop Charles Johnson Bishop Bill McCullum Pastor Willie Johnson Pastor Lofton Bulley Pastor Leon Shipman Elder Ken Smith
Pastor Willie Whitfield Pastor Michael Brown Elder Maurice Harris Elder Calvin Quinn Elder Larry Quinn Elder Randall Smith Minister Charles Lawrence
Entrustment
Minister Montgomery Minister David Moore Minister Maurice Perkins Minister Jimmy Thomas Pastor Jovan Timmon Minister Donald Whitfield
Clora Funeral Home
5801 East Seven Mile Rd., Detroit, MI 48234
Interment
Forest Lawn Cemetery
11851 Van Dyke Avenue, Detroit, MI 48234
Repast
Penetecostal Temple C.O.G.I.C. Fellowship Hall 30101 Parkwood Inkster, MI 48141
Acknowledgments
The family of the late Mother Nellie Upshaw wish to acknowledge with deep appreciation the many comforting messages, floral tributes, calls, prayers, and many other expressions of kindness and concern evidenced at this time, in thoughts and deeds. A more personal acknowledgement will be made at a later time.
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