Helen Matthews Dupree, formerly of Raeford, died May 19, 2020 at age 101.
She was born on March 13, 1919 in Johnston County, the daughter of the late Joel Thomas Matthews and Tobitha Barefoot. She resided in Smithfield, until the family moved to the Cleveland Township area in Johnston County when she was a small child. She attended Cleveland High School where at a height of 5'2" was an amazing basketball player, often scoring more points per game than the total points of the opposing team. She even played on a traveling women's team called the Smithfield All Stars around 1938. In 1941 she graduated from Atlantic Christian College (Barton College) with a B.S. degree in Biology. She did this in just 3 years. She married Judge Joseph E. Dupree September 27th 1941 and they remained married until his death in 2002. She spent her professional life as a high school Biology teacher working at Hoke County High School in Raeford. She was respected by co-workers and students, many of whom sent her notes and birthday cards for her 101st birthday. She was thrilled as she opened and read each greeting from all over the U.S. She inspired her former students and her children to be better people and to strive for higher achievement. She took joy in working in her beautiful yard and watching the birds and critters.
She was preceded in death by her loving husband Joe and eight brothers and sisters.
She is survived by three children, Velma Jean Ingram (James), Carolyn Rose Davis (Harvey), and Joseph E. Dupree Jr. (Teresa); grandsons Joseph E. Dupree III (Tiffany) and John Thomas Dupree (Kate); and great-grandsons, Mason and Caleb; and her sister, Louise Franciose.
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, a celebration of life will be planned later.
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