Joan (Brooker) Dupree

Joan Brooker Dupree peacefully passed away Tuesday, April 15, 2025, after an extended battle with Alzheimer's. She was the wife of the late James Oliver Dupree, Sr. and the daughter of the late Gary and Nellie Brooker.

Mrs. Dupree graduated from Orangeburg High School and went on to earn her degree in Nursing from Baptist Hospital in Columbia, SC. While in nursing school, she met the love of her life, Jim Dupree on a blind date. Together they raised four children and were married for 57 years.

Joan worked as a registered nurse at The Regional Medical Center in Orangeburg for many years. She later went on to teach Health Occupations and Health Science for eighteen years at Calhoun Orangeburg Vocational Education Center where she was able to share her love of nursing with countless high school students. In 1991, she was named SC Vocational Teacher of the Year.

Mrs. Dupree was a lifelong member of St. George Baptist Church where she taught Sunday School for many years. She cherished her friends and family and loved inviting them over for get-togethers. Her grandchildren were the joy and pride of her life.

She is survived by her four children; James Dupree, Jr. of Scottsboro, Alabama, Joe Dupree of Orangeburg, Jill Dupree Hinds (Erik) of Orangeburg, Jack Dupree (Jennifer) of Jamestown, NC; seven grandchildren, James Dupree, III (Glenna), Morgan Dupree, Spencer Dupree, Mark Hinds (Caroline), Joanna Hinds, Jacob Dupree, Jr and Julianne Dupree; a great grandchild, Grayson Dupree; a  sister-in-law, Mable Hall of Scottsboro, Alabama; and a number of nieces and nephews.

In addition to her husband and parents, Mrs. Dupree was preceded in death by her brother, David Brooker.

The family would like to send a special thanks to Circle of Love Caregivers, especially Brenda Creech, Casey Mixon, Maggie Chavis, and Becky Love as well as Edisto Hospice.

Memorials may be sent to the Alzheimer’s Association and the American Heart Association.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Friday, April 18, 2025, at St. George Baptist Church, 2590 Shillings Bridge Road, Orangeburg.  Rev. David Lee Mitchell will be officiating.  Burial will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery, 2720 Broughton Street, Orangeburg.

The family will receive friends from 6:00-8:00 P.M. on Thursday, April 17, 2025, at Thompson Funeral Home Chapel, 1012 Whitman Street, Orangeburg.

Honored to serve as pallbearers are James Dupree, Jr., Jacob Dupree, Jr., Mark Hinds, Spencer Dupree, Adam Stover and Morgan Lee.