Mrs. Anita Wheeles Upchurch

Funeral services for Mrs. Anita Wheeles Upchurch, 74, of Ashland, will be held Monday, November 2, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. at First Baptist Church in Ashland with Pastor Blake Lindsey and Pastor Rusty Craig officiating. Burial will follow in Clay County Memory Gardens. Mrs. Upchurch met her Savior Thursday, October 29, 2020 at her home in the High Pine Community. She was born in Clay County, but was a resident of Sylacauga for many years where she was a 1964 graduate of Sylacauga High School. She attended Southern Union State Community College where she met the love of her life, Johnny Upchurch. They married in 1973 and raised their three children on the farm they all loved in High Pine. Just as Anita had been taught by her parents to put God first they brought their children up by those same Christian principals. She was a faithful member of First Baptist Church, a member of the Sue Curlee Sunday School Class, and a dedicated member of Samaritans Purse Operation Christmas Child. Anita loved her children and grandchildren very much and always made sure to cook whatever was special to each one. Even though she had rheumatoid arthritis she tried very hard to do all she could to keep it from getting any worse. She never gave in to it. She tried to eat the right foods, take vitamins, and exercise. She never gave up fighting it and all with no complaints. She gained the greatest reward of all--we all have the assurance she is living her best life ever with her Lord and Savior. If we miss heaven what has anything here on earth been worth? Anita didn’t miss it! She was preceded in death by her parents, James Arthur Wheeles and Janie Williamson Wheeles; sisters, Evelyn W. Henry and Gertrude W. Gaither and brother, Ralph Wheeles. She is survived by her loving husband of 47 years, Johnny Upchurch; daughters, Laurie U. Greenwood (Doug) of Gardendale, Lindsey U. Lindsey (Blake) of Birmingham; son, Johnathon Upchurch (Denise) of Ashland; six grandchildren, John Thomas Upchurch, Ashton Upchurch, Hadyn Lindsey, Harper Lindsey, Liam Lindsey, and Hollyn Lindsey; sister Wilma W. Washington of Johnson City, TN; and brothers, Harold Wheeles of Sylacauga, and Guy Wheeles of Douglasville, GA. Serving as pallbearers will be Johnathon Upchurch, Doug Greenwood, Blake Lindsey, John Thomas Upchurch, Ashton Upchurch, and Liam Lindsey. Anita requested her following statement be posted, “Now that I have been granted the ultimate gift of healing. I would like to thank those of you who have stood with me to pray for my healing here on earth. I want you to know that I did not lose the battle. I have been given the most precious gift ever—the gift of eternal life with My Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ. So please rejoice for me. If you do not know Him, his gift is free for all who turn from their sin, ask for forgiveness, and ask Him to be their friend and guide through this life on this earth.” In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to First Baptist Church, P. O. Box 577, Ashland, Alabama 36251 or Clay County Animal Shelter, 43 Ratley Road, Ashland, Alabama 36251. Clay County Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

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Mrs. Anita Wheeles Upchurch

October 29, 2020