John “J.C.” Coulvin Upton

On December 12, 2020, Mr. John Coulvin Upton left this world for the better one after suffering a sudden heart attack.

John, affectionately called J.C. by everyone who knew him, graduated from High Point School in Sweetwater TN and attended New Tribes Bible College in Milwaukee, WI. He received Christ at Cedine Bible Ministries and also his call to missions. He served 4 ½ years as a missionary with New Tribes Missions in Papua, New Guinea (an island above Australia). After a very difficult time on the mission field, he received an encouraging letter from his childhood pal, Janice Sanderfur, whom he had met as a teenager at Cedine Bible Camp. They became pen pals, fell in love through these letters, and married on Christmas Day, 1969 and were married for over 50 years.

Though both felt called to overseas missions, they would spend their middle years living in Chattanooga, TN leading Alton Park Bible Church which later became Friendship Community Church. J.C. received a BA in History from Covenant College, Lookout Mtn, GA and a MA in Education Administration from the University of TN at Chattanooga. He later taught in the Hamilton County public schools and also at Covenant College, where he was part of the admissions team and an adjunct professor. He and his wife also served several years on staff at Cedine Ministries, where they taught at the former Cedine Bible Institute and started couples retreats at the ministry, along with close friends Butch and Maryanne Upton, which continue to this day.

In retirement, he and his wife Janice realized their dream of becoming missionaries together. They went on short-term missions trips to Kenya, Guatemala, The Navajo Nation, the Virgin Islands, and Alaska. They spent three years serving in South Africa with the International Mission Board. Finally, they worked for two years as house-parents at Oneida Baptist Institute, a Christian boarding school in Kentucky. His last ministry was as interim pastor of Sweetwater Bible Church, in support of his best friend, pastor James “Butch” Upton. J.C. loved having adventures for the Lord, and impacted many lives through his biblical teaching, warmth, and excitement for people and for God.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Jody and Voyace Upton, his siblings Charles Upton, Mary Ellen Johnson, Alma Rosetta Wilkerson, Jodie Pearl White, Juanita (Upton), Helen Palmer, Lewis Upton.

J. C. is survived by his beloved wife, Janice Willerine Sanderfur Upton, his brother Dr. James (Rebekah) Upton of Columbus, OH, brother/nephew Johnny (Barbara) Steagall, children Rowena Joy Williams, Tabi Rebekah Upton, and Travis (Bernadette) Christian Upton. His grandchildren include Myrrhia Cassandra Williams, Maya Cheron Williams, Marvin Clifford Williams, Jr, Michelle Charis Williams, Tristian Thomas  Upton, Hannah Ruth Upton, Elisha Jude Upton, Elisheva Joanna Upton, Erela Janice Upton and a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins.

The outside viewing and graveside ceremony will take place at Cedine Ministries, 333 Cedine Camp Road, Spring City TN  37381, (423) 365-9565, this Sunday, December 20th, 2020 with a visitation from 2-3p and a brief socially distant ceremony at 3pm at Cedine Cemetery. Please dress warmly in layers and wear protective face coverings. *If you are unable to join us this Sunday, please know we also plan to have a more traditional Homegoing Celebration post Covid-19 in 2021 in Chattanooga, TN.  (Lord willing!) 

If you would like to send flowers, please send them to Vaughn Funeral Home, 150 New Lake Rd., Spring City TN 37381, (423) 365-5221, https://www.vaughn-funeral-home.com/.  In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in memory of J.C. Upton to the following organizations:  First Baptist Church of Spring City-Lottie Moon Missions (http://fbcspringcity.org/give/); Cedine Ministries and Bible Camp (https://www.cedine.org/donate/) or The Alzheimer’s Foundation (https://support.brightfocus.org/ )

Vaughn Funeral Home, Spring City is in charge of arrangements.  Please visit our website at www.vaughn-funeral-home.com to share memories and condolences with the family of J. C. Upton.