Celebrating the Life of Pastor Ulysses Dredd Sr.

Ulysses Dredd Sr. was born on April 23, 1930 in Magnolia, Arkansas to the parents of Arthur Dred and Daisy Dred.  He is the second to the eldest of eight children; Phyllis Berry and Socrates Dredd (preceded him in death), Clementine Robertson (Redding, CA), Mary Walsh, (Antioch, CA), Donzell Baynes (Gainesville, GA), twins: Johnny Dredd and Joann Hawkins (Corona, CA).

Ulysses Sr. attended Walker High School and his high school sweetheart Madge (Molly) Lee, Shepherd attended Columbia High school in Magnolia, Arkansas nearby.  They met at a youth church function at Mount Carmel Baptist Church.   Molly was playing the piano and singing.  After high school, their relationship was put on hold when Ulysses enlisted in the military in 1949. During this time, Molly went on to the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. Ulysses and Molly continued to stay in touch through corresponding letters.  After completing basic training in 1950, Ulysses received an honorary discharge from the Military because he was called to be a Minister.  Upon being discharged, he worked in Michigan, but was requested by his mother to return back to Arkansas to help the family move west to Los Angeles, CA.

Ulysses was strong minded and hard working.  As soon as the family settled in Los Angeles, he began his ministerial education by attending Biola University La Mirada, CA in 1951.  The need to work and help his family pulled him away, so he put his studies on hold in 1953.  He stayed steadfast in his faith under the guidance of his Uncle, Rev C.L Dred who ordained him as a Minister of the Olive Branch Missionary Baptist Church in 1951.

During a trip back to Arkansas with a family member, he found Molly on summer break in 1953.  His younger brother Socrates urged him to go see her.  Once again, they rekindled their relationship.  Finally, they were married on August 23rd,1955 at Bethlehem Baptist Church in Magnolia, Arkansas.  They then settled in Los Angeles, CA. 

Ulysses and Molly were blessed with five children: Jonathan Victor Dredd, Loretta Jean Dredd- Green, Sandra Ann Dredd- Rawls, Daisetta Jeanette Dredd- Copeland and Ulysses Dredd, Jr.

Ulysses worked hard to find a good job that would provide for his family.  He was hired by Carol Cable West in Carson, CA in 1960 as a front-line Machine Operator manufacturing heavy electrical cables.  He was promoted to Senior Supervisor of Plant Operations in 1968.  Ulysses and Molly moved to the City of Carson in September 1971 to provide better schools for their children and living conditions for the family.

He continued to be faithful to ministry serving as Assistant Pastor under Rev C.L Dred, and Molly as the lead Musician of the church until 1980 when Rev C.L. Dred passed away.  The church then called Ulysses to be Senior Pastor in 1981.

After he retired from Carol Cable, 1994, he devoted himself fully to ministry.  At the age 63 he decided to pick back up where he left off with his education at Biola University and earned a BA Degree in Theology in 1998.  In addition to being a fulltime student, in 1996 he formed several outreach programs; feeding the homeless and providing weekly service for them.  He also promoted a multicultural ministry for the Spanish residents.  The church was completely renovated under his leadership in 1997 with an added front entrance, stained glass windows, and Pastor study. After 25 years of service, he retired from pastoring in 2006. 

Ulysses and Molly moved their membership to Central Baptist Church in Carson where they thrust themselves in ministry, music, outreach and teaching. Ulysses is known for his passion to help others, his children, church members and neighbors.  A giver to a fault, and always willing to make personal sacrifices to help.

His favorite Scripture was the 23rd Psalm and on January 2, 2021, the Lord called him home to rest.   He is survived by his five children, his five siblings; four sisters and one younger brother, six grandchildren and two great grandchildren who all will miss him greatly.