Mr. Ulyses Phifer, Sr., (aka "Big Daddy," "Mate" and "Cee Cee"), 92, of Charlotte, North Carolina passed away peacefully on July 10, 2015. He was born April 10, 1923 to Russell and Cora Phifer in Charlotte, North Carolina. If Ulyses could speak for himself, he would offer these words, "For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day . . ." At a very early age, Ulyses became a baptized believer at the Steele Creek A.M.E. Zion Church. He grew in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ at Steele Creek. He was a Sunday School teacher, a member of the Camp Meeting and Hymn Choirs, served as a Trustee and a Steward and was a leader of the Laymen's Council at the local and district levels. Ulyses was one of the founding members of the Annual Holy Week Services with Steele Creek, Old Zion and Mt. Zion A.M.E. Zion Churches. Obviously, he was a man of faith and a true believer. Ulyses served his country in the United States Army during World War II. Education was very important to Ulyses. He graduated from Pineville High School and attended Carver College at night while he worked at (and retired from after 40 years of service) Terrell Machine Company as the Stock Room Supervisor. For many years, he was president of the PTA at Plato Price High School while his boys attended school there. Ulyses was undoubtedly an outstanding father, husband, family man and child of God. As a role model, he raised his five sons with integrity, strong family values, a hard work ethic and genuine love. He was a respected mentor to his grandchildren, nieces, nephews, to all of his employees/workers at Terrell Machine Company and to a host of many others. He was affectionately called "Cee Cee" by his special great-granddaughter who lived with him at the home. Many of the student athletes at the old Plato Price High School will remember him today and always for the transportation he provided them by picking them up in the "Big T" at their homes and taking them to basketball practice at Northwest Junior High School at a time when there was no activity bus and no gymnasium at Plato Price. "You get yourself a good education, take care of your family, and stay out of trouble" were just a few things he demanded from his kids/grandkids and he encouraged all others who would listen to do the same. In addition to his parents, Ulyses was preceded in death by his wife, Cleoria Phifer; brother, Andrew "Bill" Phifer; sister, Geneva Hoover; and sons, Ulyses Phifer, Jr., Rev. James R. Phifer and Richard B. Phifer. He is survived by his wife, Frances J. Phifer; sons, Clyde A. Phifer (Helen), Melvin B. Phifer (Geraldine), Mark Funderburk and Tim Funderburk; daughter, Deborah Funderburk Little (Michael); special great-granddaughter of the home, Aniya Barrett; sister, Betty McCarroll; aunt, Clezella Bradley; daughters-in-law, Betty Phifer and Ann Phifer; eighteen grandchildren; thirty-seven great-grandchildren and a host of nephews, nieces, other relatives and friends. The funeral service will be held on Saturday, July 18, 2015 at 12 noon at Steele Creek AME Zion Church; visitation with the family will be from 11:00 a.m. to the time of service. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Ulyses Phifer, Sr. Scholarship Fund, Steele Creek AME Zion Church, 1500 Shopton Road, Charlotte, NC 28217.