James Walter Dupriest

James (Jim) Walter Dupriest, 93 years of McCalla, passed peacefully away surrounded by family Monday, March 6, 2023, at his home. Born November 22, 1929, in Danville, Illinois, he was a son of the late Walter Abraham and Rella F. Dupriest. Jim attended Danville High School. After high school he joined the United States Navy Reserves for one year and was able to transfer his service to the United States Army. During the early days of his military career he saw a picture of a young 17-year- old beauty who captured the heart of this young soldier. The story goes that a homesick comrade going through basic training at Ft. Knox, KY, where Jim was also stationed, was going through pictures of his classmates back in Alabama. Jennie Faye’s picture caught Jim’s attention and he was able to obtain her address. They began to correspond in July 1950. Three months later the pen pals met, and a marriage proposal was imminent. The two married on December 23, 1950; a brief courtship that yielded lasting devotion, Jim and Jennie Faye were married 67 years, 6 months, and 4 days. She preceded him in death. Until Jim’s death Jennie Faye remained the love of his life. Jim served in the United States Army for 30 years and retired as a Chief Warrant Officer on August 31, 1978. During his time in the service, he was deployed to Vietnam twice. During his last tour he was medivaced back to the United States and he served his remaining time stateside and retired as a W4 from the Pentagon in Washington DC. During his time in the service, Jim received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Nebraska and was also ordained as a minister of the Gospel. Jim placed God first in his life and loved serving Him in the ministry the Lord gave him. He was an active and faithful member, and elder of Dominion Baptist Church in Hoover. He cherished Psalm 48 verse 14: “For this God is our God forever and ever: He will be our guide even unto death.” He is survived by his daughter, Annell Mooney, her husband Mike of McCalla; 3 grandchildren - Jennie Alspach (Matt), of Hoover, Michele Earwood (Frank), of Helena, and Brenton Dupriest (Nicole) of Springville; 10 great grandchildren - Parker Alspach (Brooke) of Dallas, Texas, Gracie and Evan Alspach of Hoover, Tyler Hicks (Mackinzie) Hutto, Texas, Abby, and Patrick Earwood of Helena and Oakley, Zoey, Ollie, and Radlee Dupriest of Springville. He has 1 great- great-granddaughter, Mikayla Jo Hicks, in Hutto, Texas. Jim was predeceased by his son Joseph Dupriest, his parent’s, his brother Gerald Dupriest, and sisters Zara, Esther, Doris, Alberta, and Roberta Dupriest. Visitation will be Saturday, March 11, 2023, from 10 :00 AM until service time at 11:00 AM at McCalla Memorial Funeral Home. Interment will follow at Montevallo City

James Walter Dupriest

November 23, 1929 - March 6, 2023