Mrs. Sylvia McCurdy

Sylvia “Betty” McCurdy passed away on May 10, 2017 at the age of 92 at St. Mary’s hospital in Saginaw, Michigan after a brief illness. She was born on March 26, 1925 in Quantico, Virginia to Robert Lee Bates and Ovella H. Miller Bates. Betty attended school in Prince William County in Virginia and as a young adult moved to Saginaw, Michigan. She married Joe Brothers McCurdy on March 17, 1946. He preceded her in death on April 13, 1992 and they had one child, Janet Louise. Betty was a member of Ephesus Seventh-day Adventist Church for 65 years. She had served as a choir member, church clerk, Sabbath school secretary and as Deaconess Society/Community Service Department Hospitality Leader. She was passionate about serving as hospitality leader, preparing and serving delicious meals for her church family and visiting friends. She also took great pleasure in attending summer camp meetings in Cassopolis. Betty also enjoyed traveling back home - to Virginia - to visit family and friends, trips that she and Joe took together and she continued after his death. She was a faithful member of TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly). Betty’s friends and family marveled at her stamina and zest for life. Gentle of heart and kind in spirit, Betty loved her family and friends, and her church. Her smile made you smile; her manner made you behave better around her. She became the family matriarch and blessed the food at family dinners. She shared her recipes, she shared herself. She was truly loved by many. Betty is survived by her daughter Janet Louise Miller and stepson James (Frankie) McCurdy of Wesley Chapel, FL; grandchildren, Derek (Deirdre) McCurdy, Darnell (Vanessa) McCurdy, Patria (Brian) Owens, Terrance (Regina) McCurdy, Portia (Steven) Sumner, Atarah (Keith) Robinson, Kalila Fafa, Tori McCurdy Teague, Joe McCurdy III and Ameerah McCurdy; great-grandchildren: Kanada Reed, Demarkius (Jornea) Erwin, Tashara Hunter, Andrea (Jason) Petty, Margaret Amos, Darnell McCurdy Jr., Amber McCurdy, Santrail Wilkins, Finesse Davis, Cierra Farmer, Aramis Davis, Kires Davis, Noble Kavo, James Kavo, Kalani Kavo, Nicholas Owens, Korina (James) McDermott, Sharah McCurdy, Sherah McCurdy, Steven Sumner Jr., Malik Robinson, Aiyana Robinson, Enrico (Julieanne) Pearson, Tevin Pearson, Romamti Pearson, Kahlil Pearson; eight great-great grandchildren; special nieces and nephews, Joyce Williams, Jeffrey Bates, Jacqueline (Thomas) Triplett, Jeraldine Burnell, Julia (Tonza) Price, Jeanetta Bates, John Bates, Jennifer Bates, Robert Bates Jr., Brenda (Bruce) Nolan, Alice Thomas, Roland (Deitre) Thomas Jr., James Thomas, Frederick Thomas and Ovella (Ryan) Bell; other special relatives, Willie Wright Sr., Regina Ryan, Willie Wright Jr., Cynthia Wright, Barbara Jones, Brad and Carlene Bradley, Rosalind Tillman, Larry Lewis, Royal Green, Felix Johnson, Michael Beemon, Jessie and Shari Turner, Preston Mason and Shena Thomas; and a friend since childhood, Reese Williams. Betty was preceded in death by her parents Robert Lee Bates and Ovella Miller Bates; husband Joe Brothers McCurdy; son-in-law Otis J. Miller; grandchildren Otis J. Miller Jr. and Sheila Miller; stepson Joe McCurdy Jr.; siblings Robert Bates Sr., Annoise Lorraine Bates, Dorothy Thomas and Mary C. Jones; sister-in-law Emma Bates; brothers-in-law James M. Bates Sr., Rolland Thomas Sr. and Frederick Jones; nieces Joan Bates Wright, Jocelyn Bates Jackson and Clara Orthea Thomas; nephews James M. Bates Jr., James A. Bates, Robert Thomas and John Jones. Funeral service will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, May 19, 2017 at Ephesus Seventh Day Adventist Church, 2115 Wadsworth. Pastor Steve Bramwell, Pastor and Pastor Leon L. George will do the eulogy with interment in Forest Lawn Cemetery. Friends may call at the Evans & Browne's Funeral Home, 441 North Jefferson Avenue on Thursday from 2:00 until 8:00 p.m. Family hour will be from 6:00-8:00 p.m.

Mrs. Sylvia McCurdy

March 26, 1925 - May 10, 2017