Thelma Curtis

Thelma Lucille Curtis passed away Thursday, August 5, 2010, at Plains Regional Medical Center in Clovis New Mexico. She was 85 years old.

Thelma, the oldest of six children, was born in Rutherford County, North Carolina on June 30, 1925 to Blake B. Bradley and Bertha L. Walker. After attending Harris High School, she went on to receive a Bachelors degree from Gordon Crowell Memorial Hospital Nursing School in Lincolnton, North Carolina. Following the completion of postgraduate work at Polytechnical Clinic in New York City, she served in the US Air Force at Langley Air Force Base.

During her time at Langley, she met the love of her life, James V Rip Curtis, who she married in 1953 in Ft. Worth, Texas. They moved to a ranch near Forrest, New Mexico shortly thereafter, where they began a beautiful family. Whether making meals for Rip and the ranch hands, raising her three children and caring for multiple Curtis cousins, or offering her medical services to friends and neighbors in the community, she devoted her life to caring for those around her.

Thelma was an active member in numerous organizations including Melrose Eastern Star Chapter 30, Forrest Garden Club, Encanto Garden Club in Clovis, Extension Club, and New Mexico Flying Farmers and Ranchers. She taught Sunday school for many years at the First United Methodist Church in Melrose, was mother advisor of the Melrose Rainbow Assembly 36, and served with her husband as a 4H advisor.

She is survived by one daughter, Tamara Curtis of Clovis two sons, Blake Terri Curtis and Tye Leslie Curtis of Clovis six grandchildren, T.J. Aundi Curtis, Andrew Amanda Curtis, Jared Curtis, Austin Curtis, Tyla Megan Fowler, and Twila Rich Ludwick six greatgrandchildren, Taydyn Curtis, Blake Curtis, Jett Curtis, Kate Curtis, Nick Ludwick, and Joey Ludwick two brothers, Calvin Chuck Bradley of Texico, and Coble Bradley of Asheville, North Carolina two sisters, Shelby Parker of Bermuda Run, North Carolina, and Carolynn Bradley of Yelm, Washington.

Thelma is preceded in death by her husband James V. Rip Curtis her parents one sister, Rene Sims and one grandchild, Starla Fowler.

Closed casket services will be at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, August 10, 2010, at First United Methodist Church of Clovis, with Dr. Herbert Bergstrom officiating. Thelmas grandchildren will serve as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers include Thelmas family from Bee Hive home in Clovis, Harve and Juanita Abercrombie, and Mario and Lola Tarango. Burial services will follow at Lawn Haven Memorial Gardens. Viewing will be held at SteedTodd Funeral Home, 800 E. Manana, Clovis, NM 5757635541. The guest register may be signed online at www.steedtodd.com. The family will gather at the home of Tye and Leslie Curtis on the Corner of Wilhite and Humphrey Rd 4980 Humphrey Rd.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to: Portales Christian Childrens Home, 1356 New Mexico 236 Portales, NM 88130 Portales Baptist Childrens Home, 2200 South Avenue I, Portales, NM 881307136 or Clovis Nazarene School Scholarship Fund, 1800 N Norris, Clovis, NM 88101.

Ever she sought the best, ever found it.

Service

Cemetery