J. B. (James) Curtis of Florence, Ala., went to be with the Lord on May 19, 2014 after an extended illness. He was 77 years of age at the time of his death. He was a loving husband and father. J. B. was preceded in death by his father, Riley S. Curtis and mother, Nollie Staggs Curtis; sisters, Martha Frances Curtis and Betty Joe Curtis; brothers, Ronald Thomas Curtis and Phillip Curtis; step-grandson, Johnathan Alderete (USMC).
Visitation will be Thursday, May 22, 2014 from 6 – 8 p.m. at Greenview Funeral Home. The funeral service will be Friday, May 23, 2014 at 11 a.m. in Greenview Memorial Chapel with Brother Robert Winter officiating. Burial will follow in Greenview Memorial Park.
He is survived by his wife, Earline Prater Curtis; daughter, Teresa Curtis Terry; son, Bobby D. Curtis; grandchildren, Bryan, Daniel and Hannah Terry, Leigh Ann and Robert Curtis; two step- sons, Adam and Caleb; two great-grandsons, and a great-granddaughter; brothers, Sandy Curtis (Glenda) and Charles Curtis (Renee), and numerous nephews & nieces.
He served in the U.S. Navy from 1953 thru 1962 and went to work as an Alabama State Trooper in July 1963 and retired in 1989. He served on Bear Bryant and Lurleen Wallace’s body guard staff at various times from 1963 thru 1967. Was named officer of the year by the J.C.’s in 1972, and again by the Rogersville Optimist Club in 1988. He received an Associate’s Degree from Northwest Community College, a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Montevallo and a Master’s Degree in Correctional Counseling and Human Development from Troy State University. He was a long time member of the Florence Masonic Lodge # 14, F. & A.M.
Pallbearers will be the Masons of the Masonic Lodge #14 of Florence, Ala.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Cypress Creek Methodist Church or the American Heart Association.
