Celebrating the Amazing Life of

Reverend J.C. Upton

Sunday, December 20^th, 2020

Viewing at Cedine Cemetery, 2-3pm

Graveside Service at 3pm

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Cedine Ministries

333 Cedine Camp Rd, Spring City, TN 37381

(423) 365-9565

Obituary

On December 12, 2020, Mr John Coulvin Upton left this world for the better one after suffering a sudden heart attack. John, affectionately called J.C. by everyone who knew him, graduated from High Point High School in Sweetwater TN and attended New Tribes Bible Institute in Milwaukee, WI. He received Christ at Cedine Ministries and Bible Camp and also his call to missions there. He served 4 ½ years as a missionary with New Tribes Missions in Papua New Guinea (an island above Australia). After a very difficult time on the mission field, he received an encouraging letter from his childhood pal, Janice Sanderfur, whom he had met as a teenager at Cedine Bible Camp. They became pen pals, fell in love through these letters, and married on Christmas Day, 1969. They were married for over 50 years.

Though both felt called to overseas missions, they would spend their middle years living in Chattanooga, TN leading Alton Park Bible Church which later became Friendship Community Church. J.C. received a BA in History from Covenant College, Lookout Mtn, GA and a MA in Education Administration from the University of TN at Chattanooga. He later taught in the Hamilton County Public Schools, Rhea County Public Schools, and Covenant College, where he was part of the admissions team and an adjunct professor. He served several years on staff at Cedine Ministries where he and his wife Janice along with close friends, Butch and Maryanne Upton, started couples retreats which continue to this day. He was also Director of the former Cedine Bible Institute.

In retirement, he and his wife Janice finally realized their dream of becoming missionaries together. They went on short-term missions trips to Kenya, Guatemala, The Navajo Nation, the Virgin Islands, and Alaska. They spent three years serving in South Africa with the Baptist International Mission Board. During this time they went on several vision trips to Namibia and a short-term missions trip to Botswana. Finally, they worked for two years as house-parents at Oneida Baptist Institute, a Christian boarding school in Kentucky. J.C.’s last ministry was as an interim pastor of Sweetwater Bible Church. This was in support of his best friend, the late pastor James “Butch” Upton. J.C. loved having adventures for the Lord, and impacted many lives through his biblical teaching and preaching. His warmth and excitement for people and for God was undeniable.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Janice Willerine Sanderfur Upton, his brother Dr. James (Rebekah) Upton of Columbus, OH, brother/nephew Johnny (Barbara) Stegall, children Rowena Joy Williams, Tabi Rebekah Upton, and Travis (Bernadette) Christian Upton. His grandchildren include Myrrhia Cassandra Williams, Maya Cheron Williams, Marvin Clifford Williams, Jr, Michelle Charis Williams, Tristian Thomas Upton, Hannah Ruth Upton, Elisha Jude Upton, Elisheva Joanna Upton, Erela Janice Upton and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Jody and Voyace Upton, his siblings Charles Upton, Louis Upton, Jodie Pearl White, Juanita Jones, Helen Palmer, Mary Ellen Johnson, Alma Rosetta Wilkerson.

Donations can be made in memory of J.C. Upton to the following organizations:

First Baptist Church of Spring City-Lottie Moon Missions (http://fbcspringcity.org/give/)

Cedine Ministries and Bible Camp (https://www.cedine.org/donate/)

The Alzheimer’s Foundation (https://support.brightfocus.org/ )

Pall bearers: Travis Upton, Tristian Upton, Marvin Williams Jr,, Johnny Stegall, Marcus Johnson Sr. Anthony Griggs

Honorary Pall bearers: Damon, Derrick, Daryl, and David Griggs, John Stringer, Burcheon Walker, Burcheon Walker Jr. Todd Upton, Lloyd Sanderfur, William Sanderfur, John Sanderfur

Flower Girls: Myrrhia Williams, Michelle Williams, Hannah Upton

Special Message from Janice Upton

Though the family deeply misses their husband, father, grandfather, uncle, and cousin, “We rejoice greatly because we know J.C. was ready to see Jesus, the lover of his soul. His body was wearing away from glaucoma blindness, dementia, and cancer, but today he sees perfectly and is running through streets of gold with the many friends and family members who have gone before him. We praise God for his mercy, grace, and kindness to us.”

Acknowledgments

The family thanks First Baptist Church of Spring City, Sweetwater Bible Church, The Tannahills and Cedine Ministries, Vaughn Funeral Home and everyone for the many calls, cards, food, flowers, visits, financial gifts, prayers, acts of service and love extended to the family at this time.