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Regular Session, 2012
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON NO. 35
BY REPRESENTATIVE COX
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON
To express sincere and heartfelt condolences upon the death of the Reverend Dr. Joseph
David Dupree, Jr.
WHEREAS, it was with deep regret and profound sorrow that the members of the
Legislature of Louisiana learned of the death of the Reverend Dr. Joseph David Dupree, Jr.,
on Thursday, November 24, 2011, at the age of seventy-eight; and
WHEREAS, on August 21, 1933, Joseph David Dupree, Jr., was born to Joseph
David Dupree, Sr., and Rebecca Harris Dupree in Shreveport, Louisiana; he was baptized
at an early age at Corinth Baptist Church in Robeline and joined First Baptist Church on
Amulet Street as a teenager; and
WHEREAS, the Dupree family moved to California for a time, and upon returning
to Louisiana, Reverend Dupree joined the United States Army and reunited with First Baptist
Church; and
WHEREAS, Reverend Dupree graduated from Central High School, earned a
bachelor of science degree from Grambling State University and a master of arts degree from
Northwestern State University, and completed thirty additional graduate credits at
Northwestern State University and Dickerson State Teachers College; he studied further at
the United Theological Seminary in Monroe, where he earned his doctor of divinity degree;
and
WHEREAS, in 1985, Reverend Dupree was elected pastor of his beloved First
Baptist Church, where he served with great faithfulness and dedication for twenty-six years;
he also served with distinction as pastor of St. Savior Baptist Church, Grand Ecore, and ENROLLEDHCR NO. 35
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Goodwill Baptist Church in Natchitoches as well as director of education at St. Rest Baptist
Church in Minden; and
WHEREAS, Reverend Dupree taught in the Natchitoches Parish School System and
served as a speech therapist for thirty years, and after retiring from the school system, he
continued to teach at the United Theological Seminary and the Natchitoches Extension; and
WHEREAS, Reverend Dupree made many significant contributions to his fellow
citizens as an educator and as a church leader on the local, state, and national level; he was
elected president of the New Beulah Baptist Association, South #4, and was a member of
the National Baptist Convention USA and the Louisiana State Baptist Convention; and
WHEREAS, Reverend Dupree played an active role in his community as a member
of the Voters and Civic League, a Prince Hall Mason, and a member of the Louisiana Home
and Foreign Mission for twenty-six years, during which he served faithfully under the
direction of five presidents and as chairman of the Benevolent Board, assistant director of
Congress, and director of Congress for ten years; and
WHEREAS, Reverend Dupree was the deserving recipient of numerous honors and
awards, including the first Trail Blazer Award from the Louisiana Home and Foreign
Mission Baptist State Convention in 2011 and being named one of the original Natchitoches
Treasures by the city of Natchitoches; and
WHEREAS, Reverend Dupree is survived by his wife of fifty-four years, Comilla;
six children, Dwayne (Celia), Juan, Sedrick, Ansera (LaShawn), Erica, and Tywana; eleven
grandchildren, Amber, Dwayne, Jr., Demarcus, Ansera, Jr., Emmanuel, Quitasha, JaNaih,
MiKalah, Christopher, Jamaal, and Darrian; six great-grandchildren, Jaylen, Christalyn,
Christian, Aden, Kia, and Louis; one sister, Alphra Austin (Calvin); two brothers-in-law,
Buriel Fisher, Jr., and Pete Fisher (Chris); three sisters-in-law, Edith Blake, Ruby Head
(L.H.), and Susie Brooks; three godchildren, Luke, Jimmy, and Shawn; and numerous
nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends; and
WHEREAS, the death of Reverend Dupree has left a tremendous void in his
community and has created a genuine sense of sorrow in the many individuals who mourn
the loss of the kind nature and bright mind of this wonderful man whose memory shall
forever remain alive in their minds and hearts. ENROLLEDHCR NO. 35
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THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby
express sincere and heartfelt condolences upon the death of the Reverend Dr. Joseph David
Dupree, Jr., and does hereby extend posthumous honor and recognition to Reverend Dupree
for his incomparable legacy which is marked by the deep pride and honor that he will forever
bring to his family, friends, community, churches, state, and nation.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a suitable copy of this Resolution be transmitted
to the family of the Reverend Dr. Joseph David Dupree, Jr.
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATI VES
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE