Because we have always lived so far from our relatives I usually try to get my parents to keep me posted on births, deaths, weddings, etc. I found out this week that my favorite aunt, and one of my most favorite relatives, my aunt Minnie Curtis, passed away last year. She was 95 and had been living in a nursing home for several years. But she was not unloved or neglected by any means! I'm sure everyone who know her adored her! I sure did.
The last time I saw her was over 20 years ago when my brother David and I met my Dad at her beautiful home in Hiltons, Virginia. She was married to my grandmother Myers younger brother Conley Curtis. He was a lovely man as well. So sweet to us as kids. But I thought of them often and wished so much that I could've visited them more often.
Prior to that visit, I was probably around 12-13 when my family was there for a reunion of the Curtis family. They were grand events. All my grandmothers brothers and sisters were there, many who still lived in the area, with so many extended family.
On that last visit she showed me some family history that she had been working on, let me look at all the beautiful hand sewed quilts that her mother was so famous for, and gave me a tiny jar of violet petal jelly. She was quite a wonderful woman, the kind of woman I want to be. She was all kindness and wisdom. She knew every plant that grew in the county and what it was used for. She knew every family relationship and the history surrounding them. She loved antiques and her home was a museum to me of beautiful things that were from a time long ago. She collected every color of carnival glass and had a different collection in almost every room. She just seemed to know how to do everything. I am so sad that she's gone even though I only spent a short amount of time with her. She was also my father's favorite aunt and as a child he spent a lot of time with her and loved her as well. Below is her obituary that we found and it tells some interesting things about her as well if you care to read it.
Til we meet again!
Minnie Alice Adams Curtis HILTONS, Va. Minnie Alice Adams Curtis, 95, passed away on Wednesday, Aug. 1, 2012. She was born on Oct. 2, 1916, in Russell County, Va. She was a member of Weber City Christian Church and worked as a beautician for many years, but her talents were many. The following was written by Minnie's dear friend, Ruth Trimble. "Everyone who has been privileged to know Minnie Adams Curtis is blessed indeed. OUR Minnie with her loving heart and her caring hands. Minnie personified an innate goodness to her family and to a multitude of others. Many, many times throughout the years she has sacrificed herself to care for her Adams and Curtis family members without seeking recognition for her labors, never hesitating to serve along with her faithful companion Conley. Minnie's caring hands brought comfort as she carefully bathed the suffering faces of her father, then her mother, her brother, Giles and then Conley. Then she sustained the heartbreaking loss of her only daughter, Connie. But Minnie was no quitter. She still had that indomitable spirit to keep on keeping on. All of this in spite of numerous health problems of her own. Minnie's caring hands have brought joy to herself as well. For instance: the restoration of the Curtis homeplace. Refinishing and polishing her antique finds to perfection. Feeding and observing her bird friends outside her kitchen window. Working on family genealogy, discovering relatives she had not known. Exploring the benefits of a writing workshop. Stooping to pick a sprig of sourgrass or a royal blue violet to toss in a unique salad. Plucking a morel mushroom from the mountain side or gathering redbud blossoms to make her ruby-red jelly. Always looking to the good earth for an unexpected treasure. Minnie always looked to her mountain for solace during difficult times here in Scott County as well as in her beloved Russell County where she was raised. These memories of her mountains sustained her and fed her spirit when she looked back to days gone by. Yes, Minnie remained unchanged, setting for all of us a true example of a real lady, with her loving heart and caring hands. Thank you, God, for giving us Minnie." She was preceded in death by her parents, Alvie Adams and Maude Emma Puckett Adams; her husband, Conley Curtis (1995); her only daughter, Connie Curtis Gardner (1998); one grandson, Dale Martin Gardner; her brother, Giles Adams; and her cousin, Herman Lee Smith, who was raised as her brother. She is survived by two grandsons, Robin Gardner and wife, Deborah and Andrew Gardner; 14 grandchildren, Tara Nakoa Watts and husband, Joseph, Enolih R. Gardner and wife, Rachel, Yonah J. Gardner, Achijah R. Gardner, Nethaniah B. Gardner, Elioenai J. "EJ" Gardner, Amariah T. Gardner, Yesha A. Gardner, Kadmiel A. Gardner, Othniel E. Gardner, Tehillah T. Gardner, Jotham Z. Gardner, Kolaiah S. Gardner and Zemirah A. Gardner; four great-great-grandchildren, Gabriel, Alaina, Oliver and Declan Gardner; son-in-law, Darrel Gardner; sister-in-law, Lotus Brooks; and a host of loving nieces, nephews, extended family and friends. The family will receive friends Sunday, Aug. 5, 2012, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Colonial Funeral Home, Weber City, Va. Funeral services will be held on Sunday, Aug. 5, 2012, at 7 p.m. in the Colonial Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Tim Ross officiating. Music will be provided by Daryl Jayne, Amariah Gardner and other friends. Graveside services will be held Monday, Aug. 6, 2012, at 11 a.m. in the Holston View Cemetery, Weber City. Family and friends are asked to meet at the funeral home by 10 a.m. to go in procession to the cemetery. Pallbearers will be family and friends. Honorary pallbearers will be Shane Miller, Stanley Hickam, Donnie Mann, Fred Sherfy, Dale Jett, Oliver Hensley, Bill Mann and Marvin Gardner.
Published in Bristol Herald Courier from August 3 to August 4, 2012
