Ophelia Upshaw, 94, passed on Thursday, January 22, 2026 in Pittsview, AL.

Funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. EST, Friday, January 30, 2026 at Cool Spring Baptist Church, Highway 4, Pittsview, AL with Rev. Eugene Brown, officiating. Burial at Mt. Olive Baptist Church Cemetery in Pittsview, AL. Public viewing is 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., Thursday, January 29, 2026.

Mrs. Ophelia Upshaw was born on March 21, 1931, in Leesburg, FL, to the late Spencer and Grace Dawson. From her earliest days, she heard the voice of the Lord and answered His call, confessing Christ and uniting with St. Paul A.M.E. Methodist Church. Her life became a living testimony, for she truly walked by faith and not by sight.

After completing high school in 1948, Ophelia moved to Buffalo, NY, where she continued her faithful service at St. Paul A.M.E. Church. She labored willingly in Sunday School and missionary work, planting seeds of love and faith, trusting that “they that sow in tears shall reap in joy”.

Following her marriage to Deacon Charles Upshaw, she united with Mount Olive Baptist Church in Lackawanna, NY. There, she served in many capacities, giving of herself freely, knowing that her labor in the Lord was not in vain. Later, upon relocating to Pittsview, AL she joined Mount Olive Baptist Church in Glenville, where she continued steadfast and unmovable in her service, until her health declined and the Lord gently called her home.

She leaves to cherish her memories; a devoted niece, Kwensi Stevenson, Ocala, FL; a devoted adopted son, Tom (Sandra) Beasley, Jr., Pittsview, AL; a stepson, Thomas Walker Upshaw; niece, Loretha Dawson; nephews, Larry Dawson, Leslie George Dawson, and Leonard Dawson all of Leesburg, FL; brother-in-law, James (Corrie) Upshaw, Buffalo, NY; two sisters-in-law, Martha Jean Upshaw, Miami, FL and Alice Upshaw, Tuscaloosa, AL and a host of loving nephews, cousins and friends who lovingly called her Mom.

She has fought a good fight, she has finished her course, she has kept the faith. Though we sorrow, we do not grieve as those without hope, for we know that she now rest from her labor, and her works do follow her.