Don't forget folks Nathaniel Urshan and Jene Urshan were Interracially married.
His heritage being Assyrian from Iran her's being white.
Here is an account of his uncle: Who was also married to a white woman from Canada....
Benjamin D. Urshan, age 91, a resident of Albuquerque/Rio Rancho for 32 years, died October 21, 1998. Reverend Urshan was born in Abajaloo, Azerbaijan, in the nation of Iran, on October 28, 1906. He is survived by his loving wife, Alice Anita, married 66 years; daughter, Joy Tschawuschian of Corrales, NM; sons, David of Duluth, MN and Paul of Orlando, FL; nine grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. Reverend Urshan was preceded in death by five brothers, Andrew, Timothy, Joseph, Benjamin, and Josephus. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews. Reverend Urshan pastored several churches in Canada and the United States and served as a missionary to Iran for about two years. His final pastorate was with the Bethel United Pentecostal Church in Albuquerque, where he retired in 1983 after 16 and one-half years. After his pastoral retirement, he served on the United Pentecostal Church International Curriculum Committee for 14 years. Reverend Urshan was the author of"Survivor", a story of his life, having survived three massacres in his homeland during World War I. During a 22 day, 300 mile death march, about 1/ 3 of the 150,000 Assyrian refugees died. He had seen enough sickness and death to last several lifetimes. Included in this tragedy, was the fact he had to, as a young boy, bury his own father. Shortly thereafter, in 1918, with the help of two British soldiers, he was taken to an orphanage, later found by his step-mother, and taken to Kermanshah. With the help of his brother, Andrew, and after staying in Bombay India for a year, Reverend Urshan was sent to England where he was cared for by a fine English family, the Thompson's, where he stayed until 1923, receiving his education. He then journeyed to the U.S. where he stayed on Ellis Island for 35 days. Due to the limitation of the immigration quota, he returned to England. Later, he made the steamer trip back to Montreal, Canada, where he was admitted, and worked and studied with his brother, Andrew. In 1927, at the age of 21, he began his ministry throughout Canada, and eventually the U.S., where he met and married his wife, Alice. Reverend Urshan had touched the hearts and lives of many people in his lifetime as his life had been one of dedication to the service of God and to the good of mankind. He had been instrumental in enhancing the spiritual lives of many, and his uncompromising, unwavering faith in Almighty God has inspired all who have encountered him in life. As a result of all that had occurred in Reverend Urshan's life, he was extremely patriotic, having a tremendous love and respect for the stars and stripes and the freedoms that we enjoy in this country. He will be deeply mourned and ever loved by his wife, entire family and friends. There will be a visitation from 7:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m., on Friday, October 23, 1998 in the chapel of Vista Verde Mortuary, 4310 Sara Road, Rio Rancho, NM. The Funeral service will be held Saturday at 2:00 p.m., October 24, 1998 at the Living Word Church, located on Golf Course Road. Reverend Nathaniel Urshan, nephew and General Superintendent of United Pentecostal Church International, will be officiating. Burial will follow at Vista Verde Memorial Park. Memorial contributions may be made to Tupelo Childrens Mansion, P.O. Box 167, Tupelo, MS 38802. Arrangements are being taken care of by Vista Verde Mortuary, 892-9920.
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