Upshur E. Berkley

Upshur Ellsworth "Papa" Berkley was born in Richmond, Va., on aug. 3, 1914. He was educated through the Richmond, Va., public schools system. He received his B.S. degree at Ohio State University, graduating in 1931.

His work history included employment at the Lowes Theatre as motion picture lead projectionist and working for Brown and Williamson Tobacco Corp. as a docking clerk until he retired in 1969.

Upshur met and married the late Alice E. Farley-Berkley in Petersburg, Va., in July 1951. They were married for 39 years until Alice passed from this life on sept. 10, 1990. Upshur and Alice raised two sons, Edwillis Farley and Edgar L. Farley Sr., from her former marriage. As a family they attended the Mount Olivet Baptist Church, Petersburg, Va.

At Mount Olivet Baptist Church, Upshur met and married the late Hannah Berkley on May 2, 1994. Hannah passed from this life in the summer of 1998.

His accomplishments and honors include being the president of the Local International Projectionists for the Local Association and International Theatres. He was also a certified Virginia notary public, served as a treasurer and held the esteemed honor of deacon emeritus of Mount Olivet Baptist Church, Petersburg, Va.

Papa Berkley is survived by two sons: Edwillis Farley Jr., Hartland Nursing Home, Pittsburgh, and Edgar Lee Farley Sr., Temple Hills, Md.; one daughter-in-law, Barbara J. Farley, Temple Hills, Md.; seven grandchildren, Pamela E. Farley, Matoaca, Va., Arnice D. Farley-Anderson, Washington, D.C., Edgar L. Farley II, Forestville, Md., Kim Mickens, Fort Washington, Md., Minister William R. Mickens, Bowie, Md., TaJuan "Mick" Mickens, Fredericksburg, Va., Karen Jefferson, Fort Washington, Md.; three granddaughters-in-law, Pamela D. Rogers-Farley, Phyllis Mickets and Janel Mickens; 12 great-grandchildren, Sharai Farley, Seymone Anderson, Edgar L. Farley III, Evelynn Farley, Leia Farley, Alexia Mickens, Monee Mickens, Ashley Mickens, Lauren Mickens, Ebony Grant, Maria Wills and Marcus Byrd; two great-great-grandchildren, Ja'Niyah and Tre-Shawn; one special friend, Deacon Cary; one devoted friend and neighbor, Deacon Fenton L. Bland Sr.

Funeral services will be held at noon Saturday at Mount Olivet Baptist Church with Dr. Wesley K. McLaughlin officiating. Interment will be in Dinwiddie Memorial Park. The remains will lie in repose at the church on Saturday from 10:30 a.m. until the hour of service. The family will receive friends at the church Saturday from 10:30 to 11:45 a.m. Services under the direction of Tuckers Funeral Home, 415 Halifax St., Petersburg. A.A. Tucker, funeral director.