Homegoing services for Ms. Joethel Upshaw will be held Saturday, February 22, 2020 at 2:00 p.m. at Grace Mary M.B. Church 3901 N. 37th Street, Tampa, Florida Elder James R. Reed, Jr., Pastor and Rev. Joseph Bunts Officiating.

Mrs. Jo Ethel (Hearns) Upshaw was born December 10, 1947 in Comer, Alabama. She resided in Barbour County for many years prior to moving to the State of Florida making Tampa her home. Education was very important to her and after graduating High School, nothing would stop her desire to further her education. 

Mrs. Upshaw went on to study Law/Criminal Justice at Hillsborough Community College, while working as a Teachers'Aide at Meacham and later became a substitute in the Hillsborough County Public School System. 

She was formerly married to Mr. Fred Hearns.

Mrs. Jo Ethel, as she was affectionately known, loved the Lord with all her heart and sought Him daily. Her hometown church in Alabama, with siblings and family was Friendship Baptist Church. After residing in Tampa, she was affiliated in Worship with Pentecostal, Church of God in Christ and settled her membership with Bethel Baptist Church, Tampa. She enjoyed singing, serving, teaching, fellowship and trusting God and His will for her life. She enjoyed cooking and dedicated her most precious time to sharing the Word of God with so many people.Spending early mornings -rising to pray, read and study the Bible. 

Ms. Joethel Hearns Upshaw was preceded in death by her parents, Golious and Ida Wiley Upshaw; brothers, GL, and Theotis Upshaw; sisters Lilly & amp; Eula Upshaw and Willie Mae Upshaw-Edwards.

She leaves to cherish fond memories with daughter, Mazurov (Orlantha) Johnson; 3 grandchildren, Suprophetkias Myrie, Gerfson (Elijah) Milien and Tawhare' Myrie; sisters, Annie Salary of Alabama, Dorothy Kinsey and husband Charles of Tampa; brothers, Robert Upshaw and wife Rosa, Rev. William Upshaw and wife and Rose of Tampa and a host of nieces, nephews, family and friends, of whom she loved.

There will be a viewing on Friday February 21, 2020 at Wilson Funeral Home, 3000 N. 29th Street, Tampa, Florida from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. Friends are asked to assemble at the church on Saturday at approximately 1:45 p.m. for the service.

Arrangements entrusted to WILSON FUNERAL HOME TAMPA, 3000 N. 29th Street, Tampa, FL 33605. "A WILSON SERVICE." www.wilson-funeralhome.com.