Jessica Dupree

CHAMPAIGN - Jessica Dupree, 35, of Champaign passed this life on January 30, 2015. She had battled a long illness of Ovarian Cancer, and was very brave and courageous. She did all that she could to win this battle and was an inspiration to all for her courage and fighting spirit. Jessica was born on August 14, 1979 in Danville, Illinois. She is survived by her beloved husband, Woodrow Dupree III; her cherished daughter, Jocelyn Alexis Dupree; her father, Richard Erickson of Mahomet, Illinois; and her mother, Amy Ann Pipes of Ridge Farm, Illinois. In addition, surviving are her best friend and sister, Elizabeth Erickson; sister-in-law, Latrice Dupree; brothers-in-law, Tim Smith and Matthew Dupree; nephews, Dylan and Landon Smith, Woodrow Dupree and Bryson Dupree; nieces, Laila and Naomi Dupree; her parents-in-law, Pastors Vincent and Gwen (Dupree) Pryor; and a host of aunts and uncles, cousins and dear friends. She is preceded in death by her grandparents, Robert and Lea Erickson of Georgetown, Illinois and Jack and Betty Pipes of Danville, Illinois; and father-in-law, Woodrow Dupree II of Champaign. Jessica graduated from Champaign Central in 1997. She also graduated from Parkland College with a degree in business management. She served as marketing director for Four Seasons Sunrooms. Jessica's biggest joy in life was her daughter. She was very involved with girl scouts, Illinois Truth traveling basketball, Edison Middle school basketball and volleyball and dance. Jessica was best known for her beautiful smile and witty sense of humor. Jessica had a great love for music, dance and singing. She was well-known for her Karaoke machine and countless performances at gatherings. She was considered the glue that held her family together. Jessica was a member of Stonecreek Church in Urbana and was a born-again believer. Her love for her church family and pastors were one of her greatest passions. She and her husband were marriage mentors and served in other capacities at Stonecreek Church. Her faith in Jesus Christ sustained her through the many trials of her long illness. In lieu of flowers, the family would like all donations to be made to the Jessica Dupree Memorial Fund at First Financial Bank, for her daughter Jocelyn. A celebration of Jessicas life will be at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, February 5, 2015 at Stonecreek Church, Race and Windsor Road, Urbana, Illinois. Cremation has been entrusted to the care of Sunset Funeral Homes Champaign-Urbana Chapel. Please join Jessicas family in sharing memories of her life on her Tribute Wall at www.sunsetfuneralhome.com.