MELVIN A. CURTIS
Melvin “Mel” A. Curtis, 81, husband of Rosanna Virginia “Jenny” White Curtis, died Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, at NHC Healthcare of Sumter.
Born Aug. 23, 1943, in Mobile, Alabama, he was a son of the late Melvin Francis Curtis and Mavis Skipper Curtis. Mr. Curtis served in the U.S. Air Force and was a veteran of the Vietnam War. He retired from Nabisco after more than 30 years. He was a member of the Forty and Eight and American Legion Post 15, where he served as a member of the baseball committee and as manager of the Sumter County Fair for 10 years. An avid fan of S.C. Gamecock football, he was a member of the Sumter County Gamecock Club. He was also a member of the Sumter Touchdown Club and Men’s Fellowship Club. He attended Concord Presbyterian Church. Mr. Curtis enjoyed simple things such as bird watching, camping, the beach, woodworking, fishing and good food. His greatest joy was spending time with his wife, his girls and watching his grandson play ball. He never met a stranger and always greeted everyone with his smile.
Survivors in addition to his wife of 58 years include three daughters, Kimberly Curtis Geddings, Brandi Curtis Jackson (Clint) and Laura Curtis, all of Sumter; one grandson, Curt Jackson; two brothers, Donnie Curtis (Sonja) of Mobile, Alabama, and Gus Lea (Olga) of Houston, Texas; two sisters, Mary Schuerman (Sherm) of Spanish Fort, Alabama, and Alice McRae of Mobile; a brother-in-law, Gary Crigler of Daphne, Alabama; and a number of nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by a sister, Debbie Crigler, and a brother-in-law, Ronnie McRae.
Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. Friday, Sept. 20, 2024, in the Elmore-Cannon-Stephens Funeral Home Chapel officiated by the Rev. Jon Beane. Burial will be in Sumter Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Robbie Baker, John Baker, Jamie Campbell, Mark Waldron, Brandon Burns and Jason Brown.
Honorary pallbearers will be members of American Legion Post #15 and the Men’s Fellowship Club.
The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024, at Elmore-Cannon-Stephens Funeral Home and other times at the home.
The family would like to thank the staff of NHC Healthcare for their excellent care, support and friendship during his stay.
Memorials may be sent to the American Heart Association, PO Box 840692, Dallas, TX 75284-0692.
Elmore-Cannon-Stephens Funeral Home and Crematorium of Sumter is in charge of the arrangements.