Joseph DuPre Miller was born on March 4, 1930 to Russell David Miller and Westelle Breeden Miller. He was educated at the University of South Carolina, Presbyterian College, and the University of South Carolina School of Law.
He was admitted to the South Carolina Bar in 1954. After two years of active duty in the U.S. Army, he returned home to practice law with his father, Russell. DuPre served ten years as a United States Commissioner. He began his career as a prosecutor under former Solicitor Marion H. Kinon in 1966, and served six years as an assistant solicitor. In 1972, he was elected Solicitor of the Fourth Judicial Circuit where he served for sixteen years. After retiring, he served as a Municipal Court Judge in Bennettsville.
DuPre was a member of the South Carolina Bar Association and a charter member and past president of the South Carolina Solicitor’s Association. He was a former trustee and past chairman of the Bennettsville Area School Board, former trustee and past chairman of the Marlboro County Historic Commission, and former trustee of Marlboro General Hospital. He was elected to the University of South Carolina Board of Trustees in 1992 and served until his death in 2002.
He was an active member of the First United Methodist Church of Bennettsville where he was a Sunday School teacher and served on several committees during his lifelong membership. Other memberships DuPre was very active in include the Marlboro County Arts Council, Marlboro County Chamber of Commerce, American Legion, Rotary Club, Marlboro Masonic Lodge No. 88 A.F.M., and a Shriner.
Surviving are his wife of 47 years, Mary Payne Miller, and three daughters and their husbands; Elizabeth (Betty) Miller Keys and her husband Marshall, Debbie Miller Wright and her husband, Van, and Martha Miller Hewitt and her husband Ken, and five grandchildren.