| |
George Kelly Curtis, 79, (a.k.a. "Beadie"), of Washington, D.C., passed away on July 15, 2010 after a lengthy illness at the United Medical Center in Washington, D.C. Born October 29, 1930, in Maddox, Maryland he was the son of the late Nellie Gertrude (Curtis) Neale and Clarence Thomas Neale, Sr. He was preceded in death by his wife Ethel Lou Pressley, sons, Toney Curtis and Ronald Curtis, four brothers John Francis Neale, Clarence Thomas Neale (Bookie), William Henry Neale (Willie), and Lawrence DeSales Neale and his sister, Mary Ruth Neale Somerville. George is survived by his daughters, Yvonne Curtis and Yvette Curtis of Washington, D.C., two grandchildren, Tameka Brown and Michelle Curtis, and six great grandchildren. He also leaves his aunt Frances (Curtis) Neale of Baltimore, MD, one uncle, William Neale of Baltimore, MD, one brother, Christopher Columbus Neale (Norma), three sisters, Gertrude Veronica Carter, Helen Elizabeth Hebb (William), and Theresa Delores Collins (James). His loving nature, kind heart, and willingness to help others were just some of the reasons George was loved by so many. He loved the country life as a young child and would go above and beyond to help his family. George attended the St. Mary's County Public School system and when he was 16, accepted his first position at Cedar Point (now known as Patuxent River) as a cook. He later went to Washington, D.C. and became a baker and cake taster until he joined the United States Army in 1951. George entered the United States Army at Ft. Meade, MD and was later assigned to the 179th Infantry during active combat in the Korean War and received the following medals: Korean Service Medal with two bronze stars, United Nations Service Medal, Combat Infantry Badge, and the National Defense Service Medal. While enlisted in the United States Army, George proudly obtained the rank of Sergeant on July 27, 1953. George received an honorable discharge from active duty but decided to continue to serve his country in the United States Army Reserve for eight years. In 1953, George accepted employment with the Montgomery County School System at Somerset Elementary School as a custodian. He retired in 1994 after 41 years of service and received numerous certificates and commendations at an awards ceremony.Pallbearers will be Charles Carter, Roy Chesley, Walter Jones, Jr. (CJ), Windell Price (Benny) and George Somerville. Honorary Pallbearers will include Karen Absher, Kimberly Barney, Tanya Butler, James Collins, William Hebb, Debra Kahavkin, Renee Price, Sotanya Rushing, Yvostay Rushing, Nikcole Russell and Barbara Somerville. The family will receive friends on Monday, July 26th, 2010 from 10:00 A.M. to 11:00 A.M. in the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home in Leonardtown, Maryland where services will begin at 11:00 A.M. with Minister Harold Bowman officiating. Interment will follow at 1:00 P.M. In Maryland’s Veteran's Cemetery Cheltenham located in Cheltenham, Maryland.
|
