Elder Booker “Allen” DuPree Sr. was born on January 5, 1955, in Tunica, Mississippi. Elder DuPree is the son of Sylvester Sr. and Annie Mae (Henry) DuPree. He is the fourth child of 13 born to this union. Elder DuPree was raised in a Godly home and at age of 11, he and siblings sung in a group and then later joined the choir at Zion Church Of God In Christ that later turned into New Life Church Of God In Christ with Bishop Edward T. Cook’s grandfather, Elder T. T. Thomas. Elder DuPree was saved at the age of 12.
In 1973, Elder DuPree graduated from Whiteford High School in Ottawa Lake, Michigan where he excelled in basketball, football, and track even though basketball was his passion. At the age of 18, Elder DuPree entered the work force at Toledo Hospital in dietary nutrition and at the Anderson’s company in their automotive shop. In 1976, Elder DuPree was hired on at General Motors Powertrain Plant in Toledo, Ohio where he is presently employed.
Being musically inclined, Elder DuPree became an accomplished singer/writer. He has written several songs that were published and professionally recorded. To his writing credits, the Rance Allen Group accepted two of his songs that were ultimately placed on their studio recorded albums. He also wrote a song for Chris Byrd and True Victory with whom he sung with for over five years.
Elder DuPree blossomed under the tutelage of then Dr. Rance Lee Allen at New Bethel Bountiful Blessings Deliverance Church started by Apostle Gilbert Earl Patterson. After joining New Bethel in 1985, Elder DuPree accepted his call to preach in 1987. While being a member at New Bethel, Elder DuPree has served as Sunday School and Y.P.W.W. teacher. He also served as Y.P.W.W. District President in the M. H. Hawkins District under Superintendent Johnny M. Hobbs Jr.
He completed bible courses under the late Bishop William Morgan James that led to a biblical certificate. In 1996, he was ordained as an Elder by Jurisdictional Prelate, Bishop Walter E. Jordan of the Ohio North First Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction. In 2001, Elder DuPree was elevated by Dr. Rance Allen to Assistant Pastor of New Bethel. In 2017, Bishop Allen moved to Senior Pastor and named Elder DuPree as Pastor of New Bethel. After Bishop Allen’s demise on October 31, 2020, Elder Booker DuPree was officially placed as Pastor of New Bethel Church Of God In Christ on June 20, 2021, under the Interim Jurisdictional Prelate, General Board Member, Bishop Sedgwick Daniels of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. After the Michigan Northwest Harvest Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction was dissolved by the General Assembly of the Church Of God In Christ in January 2022, Pastor Booker DuPree and New Bethel Church Of God In Christ joined the Michigan Great Lakes First Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction where the General Board Member, Bishop Michael E. Hill, Sr. serves as Jurisdictional Prelate. Shortly after joining Michigan Great Lakes First Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction, Elder DuPree joined the Rehoboth District under Superintendent Barry L. Ginyard, Jr.
In September 2008, Elder DuPree entered holy matrimony with Pamela Brown. No children were born to this union. From a previous union, Elder DuPree had four children, Mr. Booker Jr., Dr. La’ Kesha, Mr. Michael (deceased), and Mr. Timothy. Through marriage, Elder DuPree gained three bonus children, Mr. Jewel, Ms. Anitra, and Mr. John. Elder DuPree and Lady Pamela are proud grandparents of 20 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Elder DuPree is a “true praiser” at heart and truly believes the words of his two favorite scriptures, Philippians 4:13 & Isaiah 40:31.