Alice (Shelton) Curtis

Alice Shelton Curtis was born on October 2, 1925, in Henderson, KY, to the union of Arnold and Ida
(Gardner) Shelton. She transitioned peacefully to Paradise on Friday, April 21, 2023.

Mother Curtis professed her faith at an early age at First Baptist Church in Henderson, KY. She
graduated from Douglass High School in Henderson. After graduation, she married the love of her
life, Raymond K. Curtis, Sr., on February 9, 1943, and moved to Lexington. Through their union,
three children were born: Raymond Jr, Sharon, and Donald. Mother Curtis and Deacon Curtis
enjoyed one another’s company and would often be found sitting on their front porch on
Limestone Street.

In 1945 Mother Curtis united with Main Street Baptist Church through Christian experience. She
was later fellowshipped into the church in 1949. She served as a Mother of the Church and in
various ministries. She was a Willa Belle Wallace Missionary Circle member, appointed as a
deaconess, served in the Sunday School Department, sang with the music ministry, participated
with the Senior Citizens Ministry, and was the last member of the OBG’s. She loved recalling
stories of traveling with the church under Pastor Johnson. She enjoyed bus trips to various cities;
one of her favorite trips was to San Francisco. Mother Curtis worshipped quietly in the pew until
her health failed. Although unable to attend, she enjoyed watching church at home and reading
her Bible and devotions. She loved the Lord, and she loved His people.

While in Lexington, she worked for various companies, including The Lexington Army Depot
(retired), Central Baptist Hospital, the Urban League, Southern Hills Methodist Church daycare,
and Wolf-Wile Department Store. She often laughed as she told a story about the Lexington Army
Depot, saying, "Raymond was off in the war, and I didn’t think I was going to get a callback, but I
did!”

Mother Curtis believed in civic duty and worked the election day polls for many years. After votes
were counted, she would take the votes downtown, and although tiring, she looked forward to this
every year. Mother Curtis was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star Dorcas Chapter No. 29.
She was committed to her chapter until her failing health.

She was preceded in death by her loving husband of over 50 years, Raymond K. Curtis; her parents,
Arnold and Ida Shelton; her two sisters Marjorie Cheeks and Dollye Cosby; and her two brothers,
Arnold Shelton and Clifton Shelton. Mother Curtis was the oldest of her siblings.

Still blessed to cherish her memories on Earth are her children: Raymond (Rachel) Curtis, Jr.,
Sharon (William) Ravens, and Donald Curtis; seven grandchildren, Demarco (Heather) Curtis,
Kenyatta (Dawnita) Ravens, Dewanna (Anthony) Shields, Tameka Greer, Ronreco Greer, Atiya
(Bernard) Nathan, Raymond Greer and a host of great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren,
nieces, nephews, cousins, a loving church family, special friends, Ms. Rosetta Dawson, Mr. and
Mrs. William Clark, and her “other daughters” Ms. Joyce Smith, Ms. Norma Stewart and Ms. Tonja
Cummings, whom she affectionately called “Partner.”

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