Elijah Upshaw, Jr. 85, of Milford, Va. more commonly known as "Brother" , "Bro", "Cotton", "Eli", and "Snake" went to be with his heavenly father on March 8, 2015 at Memorial Regional Medical Center in Mechanicsville, Va.

Elijah was born May 8, 1929 to the late Elijah Upshaw, Sr. and Lucinda Banks Upshaw. He received his education at St. James School in Dejarnette. He joined St James Baptist Church at a young age and during his younger years he served in the United States Army where he was honorably discharged on March 11,1955. Elijah was united in holy matrimony to Inez E. Thompson on December 31, 1965 and they were blessed with one daughter. He worked at Fort Belvoir & General Service Administration and retired after 28 years of service. Elijah later became a school bus driver for Caroline County Public School system for many years until his health recently failed him.

He leaves to carry on his legacy a very loving and devoted wife of 49 years Inez,; one daughter, Angela of Milford, Va.;5 grandchildren,; Darren of Woodford, Va.; Shemeka and Phillip of Fredericksburg, Va.; Kiana and Robert of Milford, Va., 12 great-grandchildren,; Shia, Datwan, Darren, Daniya, Dayveon, Keshawn, Kemontre, Kamiya, Aidan, Rashad, Demitrius, Demarious,;one sister, Pauline of Bowling Green, Va.;a very special niece, Joyce and one nephew; Ricky both of Milford, Va. ,one sister-in-law Betty of Bowling Green, Va., two life long friends, William Childs of Milford, Va.; and Pedro Cabeza of Baltimore , Md. and a host of other family, friends and co-workers.

A viewing will be held from noon to 8 p.m. Saturday March 14, 2015 at C.W. Edwards Funeral Home 16476 Richmond Turnpike Bowling Green, Va. and one hour before the service.

A celebration of life will be at 3:00 p.m. Sunday March 15, 2015 at Caroline Middle School 13325 Devils Three Jump Rd Milford, Va. 22514
Interment will follow at the St. James Baptist Church Cemetery 19154 Sparta Rd. Milford, Va.