Carl Douglas Upchurch

Carl Upchurch Obituary

UPCHURCH
CARL DOUGLAS, suddenly on Fri., May 2, 2003, formerly of Phila. Carl was a nationally acclaimed author and educator. He leaves to mourn 3 children, Mikayla, Kiana and Mia; devoted wife, Andrea; mother, Clementine Upchurch; brother, Drew; and sisters, Stella, Janet and Dorothy. Funeral Service Wed., May 14th, 12 Noon, Viewing from 10 A.M., at New Hope Temple Baptist Church, 711 S. 12th St., Phila. Int. private. Contributions may be made c/o Clementine Upchurch, 4518 N. Hicks St., Phila. PA 19140.

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Published by Philadelphia Inquirer/Philadelphia Daily News on May 12, 2003.

Memories and Condolences
for Carl Upchurch

2 Entries

Kelly Swick

December 9, 2024

I met Carl and from the pictures maybe Andrea in 1986 or 87. They lived in an apartment on Granville Street. I was 21, married, with an infant daughter living on King Avenue. My husband worked 2nd shift (3pm-11pm). On a warm summer night there was a knock on my door. I was alone with my child but opened it and had one of the most warm, engaging, authentic conversations that to this day is still remembered. Carl went into detail about his life and his future plans with PPM. Truly an honor to see how he made a change and was a positive light. I am sorry for your loss and the gap of time. Thank Google for this message, that's how I found this page to share my experience. God bless you all.

Sheryl Dash

May 13, 2003

It is with GREAT respect that I give my condolences to Mr. Upchurch's Wife and children and his other family members.

Mr. Upchurch made a big impact on my life when I met him through the Showtime Original movie, "Convicted in the Womb." It is through this that I spoke to him long distance in the hopes of utilizing his services to be my Keynote Speaker at my church's Black History Celebration. In talking with Mr. Upchurch, he made me feel like we had known each other for years. A Father Figure, An Inspirator, and a Determined Man of God that truly cared about the welfare and well being of our African-American Youth!

In trying to raise money for him to come to Salem, Or he said these words and I will never forget them, "Sheryl, I will be there regardless of whether you can raise the money or not, because I can hear the determination coming from that voice on the other end of the phone and it is for this reason only that I will make my way to Salem, for You!"

He came, he spoke, he got sick from eating fast food, and my Husband, my two Sons and my Daughter took a home cooked meal to his hotel because he was too ill to come to my house and visit with us. I took him some Greens, Cabbage, Candied Yams, Hot Water Corn Bread, Fried Chicken, and a slice of Chocolate Cake. He was so happy, he said girl I am going to take this back to my room and eat it all, it was like giving a kid the keys to a candy store. We took pictures and chatted for awhile and then he hugged me and my family and we made plans to bring him back this summer!

After that I gave him the name Ol' Man, so when I would call him or talk to him he knew right away who I was. He brought me a book and after the conference he signed it, he also signed my photo that he had sent me earlier in the mail, I told him before he came over the phone that I was going to hold on to the picture so that he could sign it in person, and the Lord made a way for him to do that.

The Lord works in mysterious ways, he allowed me to talk to the Man, meet the Man, get to know the Man and then to have words about the Man in his going Home. I will never forget him, nor his brief teachings that he taught to me.

He told me to stay focused and to never give up on my dreams because I can do it with the determination that he heard coming from that voice at the other end of the phone. Before I end, as we were having the conference here in Salem, there was a man that asked him this question, "In all that you do and of all the people that you talk to, what have you done to draw people to Christ?", He answered so elegantly by saying, "My life and the things that I do, the things that I say and the way that I carry myself speaks for itself!" He answered as if the Lord at that moment came in the Spirit and spoke through him, the room was quiet and then other people begin to answer for him as well.....

This is the Man that I came to know and love and it is on that note that I say, "GoodBye Mr. (Ol' Man)Upchurch, Thank you from the bottom of my Heart, for sharing a brief part of your life with Me and my family, I will mis you dearly, I Love, Rest in Peace.....

Sheryl A. Dash - Salem, Oregon March, 2003.....Salem Mission Faith Ministries, Black History Youth Conference.