LaVonne Virginia DuPree

1937-2008

LaVonne Virginia DuPree (Wright) was born January 27, 1937 to Emma (Arcorne) and Llewellyn Wright in Okreek, South Dakota on the Rosebud Native American Reservation.  She attended grammar school at the St. Francis Mission School in South Dakota.  Being the adventurer, LaVonne left the reservation to live with her aunt in Chicago where she attended Englewood High School.  She returned to South Dakota and graduated high school from Marty Indian School.  Shortly after graduating high school, LaVonne returned to Chicago to find work and she planned to attend Roosevelt University.

Upon her return to Chicago, LaVonne met Carl L. DuPree, whom she married on January 21, 1956.  They had one daughter, Renée, and four sons, Daryl, Carl, Mark and Michael.

“Universal Mom” describes LaVonne. When her children were young, it was not unusual to see her home or her yard filled with neighborhood children.  She also nurtured many injured animals to health.  In many ways, she assisted those with injured spirits back to health by listening, by giving words of encouragement, and by sharing her “inner light.”  Sometimes she provided a meal or a place to stay. 

LaVonne believed the only way to change what she didn’t like was by action and example.  She served on the South Suburban Gang Initiative Taskforce and the Village of Matteson’s Home Beautification Committee, Home Owners Association, and Neighborhood Watch.  In addition, she volunteered at St. Lawrence O’Toole where her grandson, Kenneth, attends school.

LaVonne made her transition on Wednesday, September 10, 2008. She is survived by a loving husband of 52 years, Carl L.; daughter, Renée; her sons and daughters-in-law, Daryl, Carl(Sandra), Mark(Heidi), Michael(Rosemary); eight grandchildren, Michael, Jr. Ryanne, Marcus, Andrew, Donald, Matthew, Brandi, Kenneth; one great-grandchild, Malik; her brother, Tuffy; three sisters, Bernadette, Llewellyn, Karen; and a host of nephews, nieces, other relatives and friends.