Our mother, Helen F. Dupree, was born in Baltimore, Maryland, on December 20, 1925, to the late James and Marion Brown. Along with her siblings, James Jr., Learline Brown, Naomi Lyles, Geraldine Floyd, Deborah Younger, Hannah Sawyer, Timothy Brown, Anthony “Tony” Brown, Ruth Powell, and David Brown, she grew up in a strong Christian home.
Her spiritual journey began at Doswell Temple Church of God in Christ, Baltimore, Maryland, under the leadership of the late Pastor James Doswell. While there, she began a youth choir with her siblings and other young people from the church and community. Some of these young people went on to become teachers, pastors, first ladies, ministers of music and more. Still today, many of them talk about the impact that she had on their lives.
Mom later moved to Cambridge, Maryland with her late husband Reverend Ernest Dupree. From this union they were blessed with Wayne and Emily, two wonderful children whom they loved more than anything. For a short while, they led the Gethsemane Church of God in Christ, a small church on the corner of Phillips Street. Many young lives were changed through their ministry.
She continued her spiritual journey at the Center Street Church of God, which transitioned to The Greater Refuge Temple Church of God, where she remained committed and faithful until her passing. Mom served in many of the church’s ministries, but her greatest joy was being the Sunday School Superintendent for almost 40 years. This position was very dear to her heart, and she worked hard to make the Sunday School Department thrive. You could often hear her tell each class to “Boost their Offering.” She would say it until her desired goal was met.
Mom accomplished many things while here on earth. However, one of her greatest honors was being the first African American woman to host her own radio show titled, “Hand to Heaven Broadcast,” every Sunday night on WCEM radio, Cambridge, Maryland. This broadcast was a blessing to many, especially those that were sick and shut in. Because it was a blessing to so many, the time of the radio broadcast was extended. “Hand to Heaven Broadcast” played good old-time gospel songs and featured various guests that gave an encouraging word.
Mom believed that you are never too old to learn and that you can accomplish anything you set your mind to do. She put her words into action and at the age of 65, she obtained her Associate of Arts Degree from Chesapeake College, Wye Mills, Maryland.
Always a hard worker, mom decided to continue working when she reached retirement age. She was employed at the Rob Roy Company, the Dorchester County Public Library, and the Delmarva Community Action Center. She counted it an honor to serve on the Board of Directors for Delmarva Community Services for 15 years, retiring in 2023.
Some of her favorite pastimes were traveling (especially to the Northeast Regional Fellowship), riding the DDUST bus to go grocery shopping, running errands, doing word search puzzles daily, listening to gospel music on YouTube, and being on Facebook until her health declined.
Throughout her life, mom was recognized for her accomplishments and received many awards which include the Volunteer of the Year for Delmarva Community Services 2018, Reverend Ernest A. Lyte Outstanding Volunteer of the Year 2018, Shining Star of Delmarva DC Senior Adult Day 2016, Delmarva DC Senior Adult Female Solo Second Place 2016, Volunteer of the Year Maryland Community Action Partnership Conference 2012, and Delmarva DC Senior Adult of the Year 2009.
Mom loved the Lord and enjoyed going to church. So, on May 12, 2024—Mother’s Day, we were overjoyed to bring her to church one last time. It blessed our souls to see her going forth and giving God praise the way she always did before her illness. This memory will be in our hearts forever.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her siblings—James Jr., Hannah Sawyer, Geraldine Floyd, and Learline Brown.
Although our hearts are broken, her legacy and memory will be forever cherished by her loving children, Wayne Dupree and Emily Dupree-Vaughn (Eric); adopted spiritual daughter, Margo Adgerson; grandchildren (the apples of her eye), Amari Dupree, Ashanti Dupree, Carlos Winston; siblings, Anthony Brown (Manami), Timothy Brown (Marie), David Brown (Wilma), Deborah Younger, Ruth Powell (Dennis), Naomi Lyles, James Brown Jr., and Leona Brown; nieces, nephews, godchildren, spiritual sons and daughters, church family, and friends.
Her spiritual journey began at Doswell Temple Church of God in Christ, Baltimore, Maryland, under the leadership of the late Pastor James Doswell. While there, she began a youth choir with her siblings and other young people from the church and community. Some of these young people went on to become teachers, pastors, first ladies, ministers of music and more. Still today, many of them talk about the impact that she had on their lives.
Mom later moved to Cambridge, Maryland with her late husband Reverend Ernest Dupree. From this union they were blessed with Wayne and Emily, two wonderful children whom they loved more than anything. For a short while, they led the Gethsemane Church of God in Christ, a small church on the corner of Phillips Street. Many young lives were changed through their ministry.
She continued her spiritual journey at the Center Street Church of God, which transitioned to The Greater Refuge Temple Church of God, where she remained committed and faithful until her passing. Mom served in many of the church’s ministries, but her greatest joy was being the Sunday School Superintendent for almost 40 years. This position was very dear to her heart, and she worked hard to make the Sunday School Department thrive. You could often hear her tell each class to “Boost their Offering.” She would say it until her desired goal was met.
Mom accomplished many things while here on earth. However, one of her greatest honors was being the first African American woman to host her own radio show titled, “Hand to Heaven Broadcast,” every Sunday night on WCEM radio, Cambridge, Maryland. This broadcast was a blessing to many, especially those that were sick and shut in. Because it was a blessing to so many, the time of the radio broadcast was extended. “Hand to Heaven Broadcast” played good old-time gospel songs and featured various guests that gave an encouraging word.
Mom believed that you are never too old to learn and that you can accomplish anything you set your mind to do. She put her words into action and at the age of 65, she obtained her Associate of Arts Degree from Chesapeake College, Wye Mills, Maryland.
Always a hard worker, mom decided to continue working when she reached retirement age. She was employed at the Rob Roy Company, the Dorchester County Public Library, and the Delmarva Community Action Center. She counted it an honor to serve on the Board of Directors for Delmarva Community Services for 15 years, retiring in 2023.
Some of her favorite pastimes were traveling (especially to the Northeast Regional Fellowship), riding the DDUST bus to go grocery shopping, running errands, doing word search puzzles daily, listening to gospel music on YouTube, and being on Facebook until her health declined.
Throughout her life, mom was recognized for her accomplishments and received many awards which include the Volunteer of the Year for Delmarva Community Services 2018, Reverend Ernest A. Lyte Outstanding Volunteer of the Year 2018, Shining Star of Delmarva DC Senior Adult Day 2016, Delmarva DC Senior Adult Female Solo Second Place 2016, Volunteer of the Year Maryland Community Action Partnership Conference 2012, and Delmarva DC Senior Adult of the Year 2009.
Mom loved the Lord and enjoyed going to church. So, on May 12, 2024—Mother’s Day, we were overjoyed to bring her to church one last time. It blessed our souls to see her going forth and giving God praise the way she always did before her illness. This memory will be in our hearts forever.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her siblings—James Jr., Hannah Sawyer, Geraldine Floyd, and Learline Brown.
Although our hearts are broken, her legacy and memory will be forever cherished by her loving children, Wayne Dupree and Emily Dupree-Vaughn (Eric); adopted spiritual daughter, Margo Adgerson; grandchildren (the apples of her eye), Amari Dupree, Ashanti Dupree, Carlos Winston; siblings, Anthony Brown (Manami), Timothy Brown (Marie), David Brown (Wilma), Deborah Younger, Ruth Powell (Dennis), Naomi Lyles, James Brown Jr., and Leona Brown; nieces, nephews, godchildren, spiritual sons and daughters, church family, and friends.
