James Edwin Upshaw, 85, passed away peacefully at Riverview in Greenwood, Mississippi on December 18, 2016. Jim was born in Maben, Mississippi on April 25th, 1931 to Robert V. and Ruby Cran Upshaw. He attended high school in Waynesboro, where his parents were retired educators. He served his country in the United States Navy from 1951 to 1955. Mr. Upshaw was a member of The Church of the Nativity in Greenwood.
Jim attended University of Southern Mississippi and graduated Cumberland University School of Law in Tennessee in 1958. He was admitted to the Mississippi bar in 1959. Mr. Upshaw was admitted to all State and Federal courts in Mississippi; U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit; and the U.S. Supreme Court. Jim Upshaw served as county attorney, Wayne County, Mississippi from 1960-1964. Mr. Upshaw served as President of the Leflore County Bar Association 1989-1990. He was a member of the Mississippi Defense Lawyers Association; International Association of Defense Counsel; Mississippi Claims Association; Delta Claims Association; Atlanta Claims Association; American Judicature Society; the Federalist Society of Mississippi; William C. Keady American Inn of Court, (bencher); Defense Research Institute; The Best Lawyers in America (Personal Injury Litigation); National Association of Railroad Trial Counsel; Fellow, Mississippi Bar Foundation; and Diplomat, American Board of Trial Advocates, (President, Mississippi Chapter 1984-1985). He founded the Upshaw Law firm, now Upshaw, Williams, Biggers & Beckham, L.L.P., over 40 years ago, where he practiced until he retired.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers, Robert A. Upshaw, William I. Upshaw and Charles F. Upshaw. He is survived by his children, Steve Upshaw and his wife, Liza, of Greenwood and Lisa U. Fuente and her husband, Ken, of Tampa, Florida; his grandchildren, J. Brewer Upshaw of Dallas, Texas, Lauren U. Welch of Lake Jackson, TX, Anna Fuente of Tampa, FL, Kitty Pinkston of Greenwood and Brian Fuente of Nashville, TN. He also leaves his great grandchildren, Porter and William Welch and James Pinkston; his stepchildren, F. Henry Flautt, Jr. and Frances F. Zook along with their children, Mary Steele Moak, Katherine Flautt, Suzanne Flautt, Jack Zook and Will Zook. The family wishes to thank Abe McGlothin for his loving care and kindness he provided during his illness.
Graveside services will be at Waynesboro Cemetery in Waynesboro, Mississippi on Tuesday, December 27, 2016 at 1:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The Leflore County Humane Shelter, 601 Ione Street, Greenwood, MS 38930; The Church of the Nativity, 400 Howard Street, Greenwood, MS 38930; or to the charity of your choice.