Mack Curry, Jr.

Mack Curry III was born on September 16, 1957 in Lake Charles, Louisiana and departed this life on Sunday, August 14, 2016 at the Anne Arundel Medical Center, Annapolis, Maryland. He was the third of six children born to Mack Curry, Jr. and Bessie Drake Curry. He was united with Christ and baptized at an early age at The Greater St. Mary’s Missionary Baptist Church in Lake Charles, Louisiana. Mack was predeceased by his parents: Mack Curry, Jr. and Bessie Drake Curry; and two brothers: Anthony Ray and Herman Wayne Curry.

He was educated in the public schools of Mossville, Louisiana and graduated from Marion High School in Lake Charles, Louisiana. He then received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemistry from Fisk University in Nashville, Tennessee in 1980.
Mack began his professional career with the United States Postal Service in 1981. He later worked at Howard University in the Department of Chemistry. He was employed by Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and worked as a consultant for the Department of Education.

He loved to sing, sharing his melodious baritone voice. He sang with the renowned Black Mass Choir at Fisk University. He also enjoyed signing at provincial meetings and national conclaves with his beloved fraternity, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated. He loved his fraternity, especially the brothers of his home chapter, Alpha Delta, at Fisk University. At the First Baptist Church of North Brentwood, he was active in the Men’s Chorus, the Mass Choir and the Men’s Ministry. On any third Sunday he could be heard singing one of the church’s favorites, “Sending Up My Timber”.

Fisk University is where he met the love of his life, Deborah Fay Mitchell. Mack told a version of the story of their romance. Deborah tells a version of their romance. Then there is the real version of their romance. But, nevertheless, the outcome is still the same. They were married on May 28, 1988 in Birmingham, Alabama, and from this union, two amazing sons were born: Mack IV and Thomas Mitchell Curry, each with their own unique personalities. Mack was proud to be a father and happy to be a husband. He was also a devoted friend, colleague, and “all around good guy.” His sense of humor is legendary. His sometimes seemly dry wit would have you in stitches. He was passionate about his hobbies: cooking, and baking. He delighted everyone with his culinary expertise.

He and Deborah spent time traveling: they cruised; they dreamed; they explored. He was a father figure to many doling out advice on life how not to live; things not to do; how to be a good man. He also instilled those virtues in his sons, their friends, and his nieces and nephews.

He leaves to mourn his wife of twenty-eight years, two months, and seventeen days: Deborah; Sons: Mack Curry, IV, and Thomas Mitchell Curry. Three sisters: Alice Marie Eaglin, Valrie Perry both from Missouri City, TX; and Beatrice Ann Keshavari of Houston, TX.; a devoted mother-in-law, Mary Jane Mitchell, of Birmingham, AL; one brother-in-law, Jonathan (Eboni) Mitchell of Nashville, TN. A special niece: Citserice Jones (Erick) of Rosharon, TX; one godson, Jared A. Jenkins: two cousins: Brenda Reed and Glenda Piert of Richmond, CA. and countless other family and friends.

“More Than a Dad” by Mack Curry IV

You were more than a dad; you were my father.
Not the typical to play catch with,
but you never ran out for not wanting to be bothered.
Raised two black men in this world with your soulmate.
Friends for 40 years is great, marriage for 28 is better.
Stuck it out with vows that promise you’ll be together forever.
Promise to make the family laugh when speaking
on things not appropriate for work or class.
Or even have the sons hopelessly chase rabbits
running through backyard grass.
Even though your time on Earth has passed,
you’ll never part because you’re in our hearts.
I’ve been looking up at the sky all week,
for a chance to speak with you when its closure that I seek.
I ask God “why now?” and “why did it have to be him?”
But God keeps saying to keep my head up
because your eternity in Heaven now has to begin.
So as we reminisce on all the memories we’ve shared,
I’m reminded that you were my proud father, and none other can compare.