Obits: Stephen Daniel Curtis

Published 12:00 am Thursday, June 26, 2014

 Stephen Daniel Curtis 

July 5, 1943 – June 20, 2014 

Adored husband, father, brother and grandfather, Stephen D. Curtis passed away on June 20, 2014 after a long, brave battle against severe heart problems. He will be remembered always for the courage and strength which he faced his illness, and his generous, faithful spirit. He was born July 5, 1943 in Beckley, WV to the late Genevieve Bowling Curtis Richardson and W.W. (Billy) Curtis. He served his country proudly with the United States Air Force from 1961 to 1965. After military service, he returned to Beckley where he worked many years for Dr. Pepper Bottling Co. He was a 1961 graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School in Beckley, attended Beckley College, Raleigh County Vocational School and in 1985 moved with his wife, Elizabeth, to Winston-Salem, NC where he attended Forsyth Technical School. He went to work as a route salesman and later for the Veterans Administration from 1988 until his retirement in 1996. Steve loved the Lord, his family and Center Grove Baptist Church where he was a member. He loved volunteering and was pleased and proud of the work he did for different organizations including Forsyth Medical Center where he served on the Board of Directors for volunteers over the Surgical Waiting Room for over 10 years. He is survived by the love of his life, his wife, Elizabeth; daughter, Toni (Ron) Puterbaugh of Union, Ohio; sisters, Connie (Ed) Snuffer of Winston-Salem, NC, Susan Richardson of Albuquerque, NM; brothers, John (Linda) Curtis of Virginia Beach, VA, Devin Richardson of Albuquerque, NM; and grandchildren, Ranger and Montana Puterbaugh. He was loved, honored and respected by all who knew him. Stephen was a gentleman and a gentle man. He will be missed by his family, many friends and his wonderful neighbors. A celebration of his life was held in the mausoleum chapel at Sunset Memorial Park (1925 Harper Road, Beckley, WV), Tuesday, June 24, 2014 with the Rev. Danny Ellison officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Heart Association. The family would like to express their sincere appreciation to the following for their love, support and excellent care given to Steve throughout his illnesses: Dr. David Smull and staff; Novant Health Forsyth Heart and Wellness Clinic; Dr. Carla Dupree and staff, UNC, Chapel Hill; Teri Learned with Advanced Home Health; and Hospice & Palliative Care Center.