Ila Blondee (Dyer) Upshaw

Ila Dyer Upshaw, age 97, of Clayton, Georgia, passed away on November 8, 2018.

She is the daughter of the late Luther A. and Eula Swanson Dyer of Roswell, Georgia. 

Ila was a member of Clayton Baptist Church where she loved contributing to Pastor Joey’s sermons.  She was an honorary member of the Sanctuary Choir and loved being the rehearsal “cheerleader”.  Her Sunday School class brought great joy to her heart, as reading and studying God’s word was so important to her life.  She also brought great joy to her “family” at the Cupboard Café as she encouraged many people to be “sure to know where they were going” when their number was up.  Her first job was with Woolworth’s Store in downtown Atlanta where she started as a clerk and worked her way up to head payroll clerk.  She was able to travel with her husband, Charles, as he played semi professional baseball in the summers of the late 40’s & early 50’s.  She was always keeping herself busy to make sure her family was cared for, taking on extra work at Rich’s Department store.  No matter what job she had, she always managed to advance to the top.  Up until her last few days, she was constantly working word search puzzles or playing Scrabble, keeping her mind sharp and active.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of  56 years, Charles Franklin Upshaw; her granddaughter, Desiree Melissa Wood; her sister, Ellavie Dyer Mann; her brother, R.O. (Hap) Dyer.

She is survived by her two daughters, Charlene Upshaw Johnson of Clayton and Sherry Upshaw Christy (John) of Huntsville, AL; one granddaughter, Christy Carla Wood Kelley (John) of  Austin, TX; two great grandsons, Alex and Talan Adams of Clayton, Georgia; one sister, Lucile Dyer Sewell of Smyrna, Georgia; numerous nieces and nephews.

A celebration service will be held in the Sanctuary of Clayton Baptist Church at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, November 11, 2018, with Joey Thompson officiating.

A reception will follow the service in the Ministry Activities Center of Clayton Baptist Church where her favorite desserts, tea & coffee will be served.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Missions’ Fund of Clayton Baptist Church, 87 South Church Street, Clayton, Georgia   30525

Beck Funeral Home, in Clayton, Georgia, is in charge of the arrangements. If there are any questions, please call 706-782-9599. An online Memorial Register Book is available at www.beckfuneralhome.com.

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