Elizabeth Durham Dupree

Elizabeth “Beth” Durham Dupree, April 28, 1950 – January 4, 2017, transcended from this life to be with the King of Kings and her Daddy Carl and the love of her life, Jimmy Dean Dupree, with her family surrounding her with tears and laughter, and most of all… with Love. A more beautiful soul has not graced this Earth. Despite many afflictions, Beth exuded unmatched generosity, compassion and love to all who were blessed to have known her. Her vibrancy was absolutely contagious, and often mischievous in wonderful ways. Many became unwitting partners in her various harmless, hilarious schemes! She was the ultimate listener, encourager, advisor and friend and would never fail to help us deal life’s challenges despite the incredible burdens she herself had to bear.

Beth was born in Dallas, TX and lived in the mid-cities during her early childhood. In her early teens, the family moved to the country, in the Whitton Community outside of Canton, TX and it was this area that would remain her predominant home throughout her lifetime. Here she married and raised three wonderful girls, and contributed significantly to the raising of at least a couple of other semi-orphaned kids. She was a devoted homemaker and mother, and later grandmother, and her family and her pets were her world. She will forever be a part of each of us, and generations yet to come will feel her abiding presence.

In the midst of all this, Beth worked at different jobs and pursued a nursing degree, earning her associates before suffering a setback due to injury. Always flexible, Beth redirected her focus and began traveling with her husband Jimmy, an over-the-road long-haul truck driver. In no time, with her ambitious spirit, Beth earned her own CDL and they became a driving team. During these years, she traveled extensively throughout the entire country, and they enjoyed the sights and experiences together until illness forced their retirement. Perhaps her greatest loss was when Jimmy passed away in 2008. Their souls were inextricably intertwined, and we are happy that they are together now once again, for eternity.

Beth was preceded in death by her father, Carl Durham of Canton, TX, her husband Jimmy Dean Dupree of Ben Wheeler, TX, and by her brother Carl Durham, Jr., of Grand Junction, CO. She is survived by her mother Elizabeth “Anna” Durham of Conroe, TX, her brother Jody Durham of Conroe, TX, sister Debra Smith James of Canton, TX, daughters Jennifer Smith of Conroe, TX, Carrie Gurley of Hurst, TX, and Wendy Shearer of Ben Wheeler, TX, grandchildren Patrick and Nathan Brown of Corpus Christie, TX, Kayla Gurley of College Station, TX and Branson Gurley of Hurst, TX, and Nathan, Ian and Anna Shearer of Ben Wheeler, TX.

Memorial Services for Beth will be held Saturday, January 7, 2017 at 2:00PM at the Whitton Church of Christ with Jody Durham officiating. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Beth’s charity of choice, Valiant Hearts. Please donate at www.valianthearts.org .