Helen B. Dupree

Life Reflections Helen Bennett Dupree was born and raised in Manning, South Carolina, the daughter of the late Elizabeth and George Bennett. Helen was the second of four children, she grew up on the family farm where they planted everything from tobacco to cotton, raised farm animals, and she assisted with her family’s store. She loved animals and her favorite pet was Peggy Sue, a little piglet who ran in and out of their house. Working on the farm was very demanding so shortly after she graduated from Manning High School in 1961, she left the south and moved with her cousins to Washington, D.C. As a young adult, she worked in the hospitality field at several prominent hotels. In 1966, she married Lawrence E. Dupree and had three children during their marriage. In 1971, she began working at the General Accounting Office (GAO) in Washington, D.C. Helen was an exceptional employee, receiving numerous promotions and awards, working her way up the corporate latter from a Secretary to a Paralegal Specialist. She retired after dedicating 43 years of federal service. She accepted the Lord Jesus Christ at a young age and was a member of Pine Grove AME Church in Manning, South Carolina. In 1972, Helen joined Gethsemane Church of God in Christ in Alexandria, Virginia, and later, faithfully, attended Galilee Baptist Church in Suitland, Maryland. Helen was a praying woman and took great pride in her family. She was a kind, caring, loving, sweet, thoughtful, and generous person one could ever meet, her demeanor never changed or waivered. She enjoyed spending quality time with her sisters, whether shopping, going out to eat or traveling, she loved them dearly. Helen loved to cook, she was the family chef, let’s not forgets those homemade cakes with the icing from scratch. She got joy loving and taking care of her grandchildren. She departed from this life and transitioned on to be with the Lord on December 21, 2023, at the Fairfax Inova Hospital. She leaves to cherish her memories, her husband Lawrence E. Dupree; three children: Reggie Dupree Sr., Lorenzo Dupree, and Regina Dupree-Mustapha; 11 grandchildren: Chardenee, Reggie Jr., Kiana, Terrace, Terryn, London, Acquisha, David, Aderemi, Oluremi, Lawlen; two sisters: Dorothy Pittman and Loretta Bennett (Priscilla); Ethel Boyd (cousin, family matriarch); and a host of great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and other family and friends. Now the Lord has called for his daughter, a mom, a grandmother, a loved one, to be by his side and to continue her service with him. Don’t be sad, but rejoice in knowing that she is one of God’s Angels now.

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Helen B. Dupree

July 23, 1943 - December 21, 2023