Willie A Curley Jr.

WILLIE ALLEN CURLEY, JR. of Emporia, Virginia passed away peacefully after a brief illness on Saturday, May 17, 2014 at Southern Virginia Regional Medical Center. Willie was born to the Rev. Willie Allen Curley, Sr. and Allie Curley in Emporia, Virginia on August 13, 1933. Willie was educated in the Greensville County Public Schools and was a 1954 graduate of Virginia State University where he pledged Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity. He joined Royal Baptist Church at an early age. He was preceded in death by his parents, Rev. Willie Allen, Sr. and Allie Curley; his wife of 49 years, Mary Louise; a baby daughter, Donna; two sisters, Irma Otelia Meeks, and Pauline Vick; and a brother; George Milton Curley. Willie had a successful career in Public Education and in State Government. He began his teaching career at Wyatt High School in Emporia. When he left the teaching profession, he held a position as Rehabilitation Counselor with the Southampton Center and with the State of Virginia Department of Rehabilitative Services. Willie obtained tremendous joy and satisfaction by offering a helping hand. Throughout his life, he gave freely of his time, wise counsel and advice and anything else that he thought would help family, friends and others, especially students whom he encouraged to further their education. Willie was always seeking out ways to improve himself such as taking guitar and keyboarding lessons and by becoming a licensed pilot. Before and during retirement he served on various boards and commissions, including Greensville/Emporia Airport Commission for a number of years. As a jazz enthusiast, he was a charter member of the Jazz 90 Group. Left to cherish loving memories are three sons, Derrick Curley of Emporia, VA, Jeffery Curley of Atlanta, GA and Gregory Curley of Dinwiddie, VA, three grandchildren, Brittany, Stephanie (Robert), and Bobby., three great-grandchildren, one sister; Mildred McGriff of Fort Washington, MD, and a brother-in-law, Eddie Lucas of Richmond, VA; one devoted friend and sister, Gracie Walker of Freeman, VA; special friends, Willie Pair, Haywood Brown of Emporia, VA, Floyd Powe of Jacksonville, FL, and a host of other relatives and friends.

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