Obituary
Theresa Delores (Williams) Upshaw was born in Farnsdale, Alabama on June 24, 1941 to the proud parents of Cleomine (Russell) Williams and Houston Clinton Williams. After moving to Fort Wayne, Indiana, she attended school at Study and Hanna School. She then went to Central Junior Division and Graduated from Central High School in 1960. Theresa was raised in Shiloh Baptist Church. She was baptized at 8 years old by Pastor William Caldwell. From that point on, she was a faithful member of Shiloh Baptist Church. She was on the nurses board and a member of the missionary society. She took great care of Pastor and First Lady Albert Walker. At 58 years old, Theresa was married to her only husband, Isaiah Upshaw. As a woman of God, she eventually followed her husband and became a member of Dupree Memorial Church of God in Christ. There she grew to adore her Pastor and First Lady Lester Bush. She strongly believed in taking care of her Pastor and First Lady. At Dupree, she was a member of the Mother’s Board and the Usher Board. At the age of 65, Theresa retired from Foamex, in Waynedale, where she was an administrative assistant in Human Resources. Theresa couldn’t be still. She decided to work as a temp for Vera Bradley. She worked there for 4 years. During her past time, she loved to bowl. She played for years with her sister, Barbara. It was fun listening to Theresa say how people would yell, “Here comes the sisters!” as they walked into the bowling alley. She also enjoyed playing backgammon. She was in a backgammon tournament! Theresa had a love for tennis as well. She was able to witness Venus and Serena Williams play (early in their career) at Wimbledon in New York City, one of the highlights of her life. Theresa had a green thumb. She didn’t mind getting her hands dirty. She loved creating flower arrangements and being a wedding coordinator. She mastered Tee Ethel's sweet potato pie. Theresa always greeted you with a big smile, kiss, and a hug. She never met a stranger. She loved everyone’s children. She didn’t have children of her own, but made each child she came across feel very special. She was very giving. She was a lot of fun and gave great advice. She told the truth. She loved giving womanly advice to young women. Her favorite phrase was “Love yourself first!” She is an angel that will be missed. Theresa leaves behind her Husband, Isaiah Upshaw; his children, Tondra (Charles) Morgan, Trona Upshaw, Isaiah (Qwin) Upshaw, Tara Upshaw and Ivan (Sherry) Upshaw; siblings: brother, Glen (Bertha) Williams; sisters, Barbara (Perry) Davenport and Sister Sharon Bynum; nieces, Markeisha (James) Booker and Natalie Bynum; nephews, Lamar (Drena) Williams, Glen Williams Jr., Jarian (Esmeralda) Williams, and Layne (Trashonda) Patterson; God Daughters, Dorothy (Mark) Guthrie and Kiera Sullivan; her besties, Martha Curry, Ruth Wharton, Willie Walker and Thelma Collins; 6 great nieces; 9 great nephews; 11 grandchildren; and two bonus grandchildren along with a host of great grands, family and friends. Theresa was preceded in death by her mother, Cleomine Williams; father, Houston Williams; and nephew, Denardo Williams. Home-going 11:00am on Saturday, February 4, 2023 at Dupree Memorial Church of God in Christ, 1231 Hayden Street Fort Wayne, IN 46803 with visitation one hour prior to the service. Visitation also from 7:00pm to 8:00pm, Friday, February 3, 2023 at Dupree Memorial Church of God in Christ, 1231 Hayden Street Fort Wayne, IN 46803. Burial in Covington Memorial Gardens. Arrangements entrusted to Covington Memorial Funeral Home.