James "Butch" Upton

James Houston Upton was called to Glory September 16, 2014. James Upton, known affectionately by everyone as "Butch," was the first child born to Lex, Jr. and Mildred Upton, in Alcoa, TN on February 8, 1943.

He received Jesus Christ as his Savior while a student at High Point High School, where he was actively involved in the student Bible study club and with Cedine Bible Camp. He was a proud graduate of High Point, Class of '61. He later attended New Tribes Bible Institute in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where he was called of God to full-time Christian ministry, and was ordained. He joined New Tribes Mission and, upon completion of his training, served as a missionary in Papua New Guinea in tribal missions for four-and-a-half years.

While on furlough, he met the love of his life, Maryanne Wigden, whom he married on March 13, 1971. To this happy union, God added four children: Jerilyn, Felicia, Jeremy, and Joelle.

God burdened Butch's heart to return to his hometown to impact people with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. In 1973, God established the Sweetwater Community Bible Church, where Butch served faithfully for 41 years. During these years, he was involved in helping to form the area's first Christian school, a married couple's retreat through Cedine Ministries, and created the Black Heritage Scholarship Committee, which helps to provide college funds for Black graduates of Sweetwater High School. Everyone remembers his lively vacation Bible school programs.

Butch leaves a legacy of a godly man who impacted his community in his lifestyle, his family, in his careful and thorough teaching of the Word, and in his ability to give Biblical counsel to people one-on-one in their time of need.

He was preceded to Glory by his father Lex, Jr., his mother Mildred, and his sister Cynthia. He will be greatly missed by his wife of 43 years, Maryanne; his children Jerilyn (Duane) Sanders, Felicia (Alan) Haynes, Jeremy (Brianna), and Joelle; his 9 grandchildren: Brejah, Aria, Miciah, Kayla, Bryce, Lex III, Sydney, Lawson, and Dakota. He is also survived by his siblings Ronald (Almeda)Upton, Margaret Ann (Julian) Blackshear, Lester (Valerie) Upton, Dennis (LaTonya) Upton, George (Gladys) Upton, and Audra (Michael) Cox, as well as a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins.