Upton, Douglas – Knoxville, departed this life, December 15, 2012, at Holston Health Care and Rehab Center. Born in Madisonville, TN, he was a faithful member of Mt. Calvary Baptist Church; a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity; retired from Levi Straus; a former employee of Knoxville College and the Knoxville Area Urban League. He was preceded in death by parents, Lloyd and Johnnie Upton; brother-in-law Harold Sudderth. He leaves to cherish his memories: wife, Sylvia; son, Darwin (Susan) Upton; daughter, Sydney Upton; sister, Marynell Sudderth; brother, William (Vernice) Upton; grandchildren, Mia (Joe) Sullivan; Aubrey Upton; sister-in-law, Delores Hayes, Christine Taylor; brother-in-law, Garrison (Vienna Martin). Special thanks to our many friends and the staff at Holston Health and Rehab Center for their caring love and support. The Fraternity service begins at 5:00 p.m. The family will receive friends at Greater Warner AME Zion Church from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, December 19, 2012. Reverend Leroy Franklin, officiating. Graveside service and interment will be held at Park City Cemetery, Madisonville, TN on Thursday, December 20, 2012. The service will conclude with a full dove release. It is in respect for Doug that the family wishes in lieu of flowers, that a monetary donation be given to Knoxville College to help with the struggles they encounter as the college is striving to rebuild itself as a place for other students like Doug to become productive citizens.
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I am praying for comfort for your family during this time.
May God Bless and keep the Upton family at this time.
Your family will be in our thoughts and prayers as you get throught his difficult time. It is indeed hard to lose anyone in this life, but especially hard to lose a husband, father and grandfather. Our hearts go out to you for we have endured this before with our Daddy.
Sylvia:
I am glad I got to see “DOUGMAN” and hold his hand.I’m glad his suffering is over. Love and Hugs
Jennifer
Sylvia:
We were both very sadden at the lost of Mr. Upton. He was a great inspiration to my uncle and aunt, Mr. & Mrs. Joe Walker, while Mr. Walker was in rehab at Holston. We still remember all of the good times that were spent in the rocking chairs on the front porch every evening after dinner. Our hearts go out to you and your family during this most difficult time but we both know that heaven has just been blessed one more time by Mr. Upton’s presence. May God’s grace and mercy be with you during the holiday season and throughout the upcoming new year.
Your friends the Walkers.
My thoughts and prayers are with you during this time.
Sydney, We were sorry to learn of your Dad’s passing. May your memories comfort you at this sad time. You and your family are in our prayers
Frankie and Edgar Whitaker
To Sidney Upton.
Thinking of you doing this difficult time. May your heart be filled with warm thoughts and treasured moments of your loving father.
God Bless You and Your Family.
Betty Wilkerson
I’m very sorry for your loss. I worked wih Mr. Upton at Levi’s on Cherry Street. He was a very nice man.
As we make our journey throu this life, death is our final stop. The Bible gives us help in our time of grief. Even the perfect man,Jesus Christ, “Gave way to tears.” So greatly grieved was he over the death of his friend, Lazarous.(John11:35) Jesus said “I am the resurrection, & the life.”(John11:25) What a wonderful gift we have been givin, to have the hope of seening our loved ones once again.
Sylvia,
I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your husband. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time. Your “usher” family is thinking of you. May God grant you peace and love.
This is a belated message. My thoughts, prayers and condolences are with the family. I am so sorry to hear of Doug’s passing. I miss a lot of my friends that have and are passing on. I thank God every day for my blessings and appearance on this earth. We all have to stay in good fellowship with God.
Morris Sherles, Jr.
Morristown, TN.
I regret hearing of the loss of your loved one. Doug and were classmates at Knoxville College,1966. Doug’s love of Knoxville College was exemplary. May God continue to bless you,and remember the love and memories you hold will never leave you.
Without fear the way ahead¸ seems more distinct & clear- & we realize there’s nothing, we need ever face alone, for our heavenly Father loves us & our problems are his own. (Ps. 46:1) Jesus said I am the resurrection, & the life. He that exercises faith in me , though he dies, will come back to life. (John 11:25) In the Bible, the Greek word, translated “resurrection” literally means “ a standing up again” It implies that a person is restored to life, retaining his or her unique identity, personality, & memories. This gives us very much hope, for our future. There is a day coming when every person who has fallen asleep in death will wake up & live on a newly restored earth with us, never worrying about sickness or death anymore. I hope that you can find comfort & encouragement in the above verses or those of your own.(Acts 24:15, & Luke 7;12-14) What a wonderful hope, that of seeing our loved ones once again.