Our beloved mother and grandmother, Robinell H. Dupree (a.k.a. Robbye), departed her loving family on April 30, 2024. She was 83 years old.
Robinell was born on April 16, 1941, to Robert and Asalee Hickman. She was raised in Fort Worth, TX, by her mother Asalee. At around 13 years of age, a young, fearless Robbye excitedly boarded a Greyhound bus. She traveled from Texas to California, by herself, to join her mother who had moved there a short time before.
It was in Los Angeles, CA, at the age of 16, that Robbye met a charming and handsome 17-year-old Raymond Dupree. The two met in church on a warm Sunday morning. Sitting behind her, he noticed her fan was bent and ineffective. He leaned forward and handed her his fan. And the rest is history. Ray and Robbye married 3 years later, in 1960, and spent 50 years of their lives together. During those 50 years, Raymond joined the Navy and he and Robbye moved several times. They eventually settled in San Diego, CA, where they raised 4 children with unconditional love and devotion.
Robbye was a civil servant with the Department of Defense for many years. When she wasn’t working, she enjoyed bowling, playing cards, cruising, dancing, and dining with friends and family. She also loved ice cream! She loved ice cream almost as much as she loved spending time with her children. Robbye was a social butterfly and enjoyed just about anything that would get her out and about and having fun with friends. Robbye was an only child. It was perhaps for that reason that she desired social connection. Through the years, that desire prodded her to join several organizations such as the Young Moderns, Jaycee Wives, and the Order of the Eastern Stars.
In 1976, Raymond answered his call to the ministry, and to Robbye’s surprise, she became a minister’s wife. She served as First Lady to Pastor Raymond Dupree Sr. at Christ Fellowship Church until his health forced him to step aside. Ray and Robbye joined Encanto Southern Baptist Church in 2001. Robbye participated in many church activities including Bible studies and the Drama Skit Team.
Robinell is survived by her children; Djuana Dupree Bullock, Raymond Dupree Jr., Rhonda Dupree Willis, and Renee Dupree, daughter-in-law Romelia Dupree, and sons-in-law Ben Bullock and Eric Willis. In addition, she is survived by her grandchildren; Dale Bryant, Raymond Dupree III, Christina Willis, Nicole Willis, Robinell Dupree, and granddaughter-in-law Ruth Bryant
