Willie Jean (McBride) Curtis

Willie Jean (McBride) Curtis, age 72, of Utica, was called home to be with the Lord on April 11, 2012. Her passing occurred at the Faxton-St. Luke’s Healthcare Center with her loved ones by her side. Born in Logan, West Virginia on September 29, 1939, Willie Jean was the daughter of the late Willie “Buster” and Ruth (Cobbs) McBride. After completing her education, she held a position as a Social Worker and in 1970 moved to Utica with her companion. She became employed with Beaunit Fibers Corporation and concurrently completed her degree in Social Work at M.V.C.C. and SUNY Institute. She began a career at Project Calvary Headstart as a very influential Social Worker, then at Catholic Charities as a Supervisor. Willie Jean became ill in 1992 which caused her early retirement. She became a resident at the Charles T. Sitrin Healthcare Facility in 2000. Willie Jean had a very unique personality and sense of humor. She organized the family’s first Family Reunion in 1977, an event which brought loved ones together then and is still in existence today. She was also a very compassionate and fun-loving person. She loved people and was a teacher of life; she taught the life of love, and her love will always live on. God Bless, and a special thank you to all the people that kept her in prayer and assisted in her care, including Payne’s Temple Church, the God sent staff at Sitrin Healthcare, Dr. Thomas Ryan, Faxton-St. Luke’s Healthcare Center and Dialysis Unit, Dr Ahmad Mian, Dr. Ira Tisch, Dr. Charles Eldredge, Dr. Ashish Regulagadda, Dr. Jorge Ferreiro, and the staff at the St. Elizabeth Medical Center. Special friends: Ms. Mattie Brown, Left, Jean Jones, Gloria Williams, Ztte, Mr. Sam Gray, Bill Dischiavo and the old Lansing Street crew. Also, many more healthcare providers and friends not mentioned but never forgotten. Willie Jean is predeceased by her Aunt Bea, Oralee, and Uncle Obbie Lee (Jabo) Cobbs. She also leaves behind her sister, Betty Jean (McBride) Toles; her daughter, Ruth; her sons, Thomas, Greg, Vincent, Michael, and Norman (Jennifer) Wilson, and Jonas Curtis (Chiquitha); special nieces, Terri McBride, Sabrina McBride (Otis) Bryant and Nicole Toles; special grandchildren, Shawntae, Karmon, Samuel, Evita, Greg, Jr., Amber, Michael Jr., Mykala, Milana, Philip, Marcus, Chiquitha, and Jonas Jr.; great-nieces and nephews, Durrell Vines (Royce), De’shanna Pierce (Joshaun and Sa’Breya), Bryan Patterson and Aaliyah Weathers, and a host of cousins from New Jersey. Visitation will be held Saturday, April 21st from 11:00-12:00 noon at Believers Miracle Deliverance Ministries Church. Those wishing to express an act of kindness in lieu of flowers may make a donation to the Faxton Campus Dialysis Center, or the Charles T. Sitrin Health Care Center; envelopes will be available at the service. Willie Jean’s Home Going Celebration will commence on Saturday at 12:00 noon at the church, immediately upon conclusion of visitation, with Apostle Willie J. Steele officiating. Interment will take place in Forest Hill Cemetery at the convenience of the family. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Eannace Funeral Home, Inc., 932 South St., corner of Hammond Ave.

Willie Jean (McBride) Curtis

September 29, 1939 - April 11, 2012