Ulysses "Grant" Upshaw, Sr.

NILES - Mr. Ulysses Grant Upshaw Sr. departed this life at home on March 30, 2024, with his wife Mittie Ann by his side. Mr. Upshaw was affectionately known as “Grant”. He was one of fifteen siblings. 

He was born on April 16, 1938 in Charleston, Mississippi to the late Van Buren and Elnora (Foster) Upshaw.

After leaving high school in Mississippi, he moved to Florida for work.  In the late 1950’s, he relocated to Utica New York, which was his home for many years.

He met and married his first wife Mary Lee Clark in 1962.  This union produced three children:

Ulysses Jr., Efrem and DeAnna Upshaw.

Grant worked in agriculture, maintenance and eventually his passion for cooking made him an entrepreneur. He created two soul food restaurants: Grant’s Soul Food Café & James Street Luncheonette in the city of Utica NY.  The patrons were always served with a smile and a song! He and his brother Lawrence became business partners. A family business.

Grant was an exceptional singer and enjoyed all genres of music. He was an avid sports fan with the New York Yankees and Giants being his favorite teams.  He also enjoyed westerns and cross-word puzzles. Grant was a member of St. Matthews COGIC where he was a member of the choir.

He met Mittie Ann Willoughby through a mutual friend. They were married in 1997 and relocated to Ohio and lived there until his passing.

Grant was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife Mary Lee; brothers: Van Buren, Lawerence, Robert, Deodos, and Ozzie James Upshaw; sisters Anna Upshaw, Mary Perkins, Lula Mae Blackburn.  Also three stepchildren LaSandra Bivins, Gordon Paul and James Darryl Willoughby.

Grant leaves to cherish his memory his beloved wife Mittie Ann, his sons Ulysses G. (Kathy) Upshaw Jr. of Lee Center NY and Efrem W. Upshaw of Utica NY and his only daughter DeAnna R. Upshaw of Houston TX.  Also his siblings, Charles Upshaw of Illinois, Isaiah Upshaw of Indiana, Samuel (Evangeline) Upshaw Sr., Lee O’Neil (Irene) Upshaw Sr., Lenora Gathering and Elvin Upshaw, all  of Tennessee.

Mittie Ann and the family wish to express thanks to Grant’s wonderfully compassionate and professional medical teams.  Fresenius Kidney Care, Mercy Health Care and St. Joseph’s Hospital.

Calling hours are 11:00 am to 12:00 noon Wednesday, April 10, 2024 at Hoyt Street Church of God in Christ, 789 Hoyt Street S.W., Warren, Ohio 44485, where services will follow at 12:00 noon Wednesday, with Elder Cardell Clay officiating.  All who knew and loved Grant are welcome to attend and celebrate his good life. Entombment will follow at Pineview Memorial Park.

Arrangements are entrusted to Staton-Borowski Funeral Home, 962 North Road NE, Warren, Ohio 44483, 330-394-6200. Dedicated To Serving Your Loved Ones. This obituary may be viewed, and condolences sent to www.statonborowskifuneralhome.com

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