She was a member of Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church in Cleveland, and also former member of Friendship Baptist Church of Madisonville and Inter-City Church of Knoxville.
She loved going to church and praising God. Mama Nellie was definitely the “matriarch” of her grand clan.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Gustine Upton; parents Fletcher and Kate Black; daughter, Elizabeth Upton; sons: William, Charles and Eddie Upton; granddaughters: Daviena Casby and O’Shauna Upton; grandsons: Luther Upton and Marty Wilkerson; sisters: Blanche Jones, Lillian Walker, Lorene Long and Margaret Dyer; and brothers: the Rev. Fred Black and Bill Black.
Survivors include her daughters: Josephine Wilkerson of Madisonville, Beverly (James) Dunn of Cleveland, and Brenda (Thomas) Hardy of Loudon; sons: the Rev. David (Katherine) Upton and Kenneth Upton, all of Knoxville, and the Rev. Jerry (Janice) Upton of Lenoir City; sisters: Helen Siler and Betty Black, both of Madisonville; 37 grandchildren; 94 great-grandchildren; 18 great-great-grandchildren; a devoted granddaughter, Pamela Upton assisted with her home care for three years; and Loyace Ann Upton of Knoxville and Warnell Davis of Madisonville were consistently caring and dedicated to Mama Nellie for many years.
Homegoing service will be held Tuesday, May 10, 2011, at 2 p.m. at Shiloh Missionary Baptist with pastor, the Rev. Alfred Johnson, officiating.
The family will receive friends from noon to 2 p.m. prior to the service at the church.
Interment will follow on Wednesday at 11 a.m. at Park City Cemetery in Madisonville.
Services of loving memory entrusted to M.D. Dotson and Sons Funeral Home.
Words of comfort may be submitted at www.mddotsonandsons.com
