Buren A. Curtis

Buren A. Curtis, Sr., 84, of Morganton, NC went home to be with his Lord on Monday, February 17, 2014 after several years of declining health. Born in Rutherford County, NC on August 6, 1929, he was the son of the late Talmadge Curtis and Mary Elizabeth McGinnis Curtis. Buren was a devoted, charter member of New Beginnings Baptist Church where he served as chairman of the deacons. He retired from Drexel Heritage with 35 years of service. He helped coach his son’s baseball league and was an avid gardener.A loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, Buren is survived by his sons, J.D. Curtis and his wife, Brenda, and Allen Curtis and his wife, Vickie, both of Morganton; a daughter, Hazel Bryant and her husband, Jack, of Morganton; grandchildren, Kim Wiles, Michelle Bryant, Melissa Curtis, Julie Gowan, Jason Curtis, and T. C. Pendley; twelve great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; a brother, Bill Curtis and his wife, Carolyn, of Rutherfordton, NC; and a sister-in-law, Ella Mae Curtis of Morganton.In addition to his parents, Buren was preceded in death by his wife, Margie Averee Greenlee Curtis, with whom he would have celebrated his 65th wedding anniversary on February 18, 2014; and a brother, Robert Glenn Curtis.The funeral will be held at 2pm, Thursday, February 20, 2014 in the Colonial Chapel of Sossoman Funeral Home and Crematory Center with the Rev. Earl Cross, the Rev. Timothy Wiles, and the Rev. Robert Devinney officiating. Burial will follow in Burke Memorial Park. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 1-2pm prior to the service. At other times the family will be at the residence of the son, J.D. Curtis.Memorial contributions may be made to Burke Hospice and Palliative Care, Inc, 1721 Enon Road, Valdese, NC 28690.