Velma Upshaw

Velma L. Upshaw, 87, of Ullin, Ill., formerly of Cairo, Ill., passed away at 8:20 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 7, 2012, at the Daystar Care Center in Cairo.

Velma was born July 12, 1924, in Caruthersville, Mo.

Mrs. Upshaw was a member of the Mighty Rivers Worship Center in Cairo and a former member of the Cairo Business and Professional Women's Club, where she served as a past state officer. She was also a volunteer for the Reach to Recovery Program.

Velma was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Harold E. Upshaw Sr., on June 17, 2003; and a brother.

Survivors include two daughters, Cheri Jill Upshaw of Franklin, Tenn., and Dameetra and husband Gale DeVore of Carriere, Miss.; a son, Harold E. Upshaw Jr. and wife Pam of Golconda, Ill.; a sister, Opal Hodges of Cairo; seven grandchildren, Bobby, Damon, Dennis (Melissa) and Chad (Kristan) DeVore, Harold "Chip" Upshaw III (Christine), Scott (Alyssa) Upshaw and Kim (R.J.) Konyek; great-grandchildren, Austin, Logan, Adrian, Tiffany, William, Braxton, Baylee and James DeVore and Alivia, Andrea, Austin, and Zachary Upshaw; and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services for Mrs. Upshaw will be at 1 p.m. Wednesday at Mighty Rivers Worship Center in Cairo, with Dr. Larry L. Potts officiating. Interment will follow in the Green Lawn Memorial Gardens, Villa Ridge, Ill.

Friends may call between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Wednesday at the Mighty Rivers Worship Center.

Jones Funeral Home in Villa Ridge is in charge of the arrangements.