Emily Curbeam

EMILY HILL CURBEAM, was born on April 26, 1928, in Fairfield County, South Carolina. She was the 12th child born to Ben and Easter Hill. She entered into eternal rest on Friday, March 31, 2023 at FutureCare at Good Samaritan. She was 94 years old. She received her early education in the Fairfield County School System. She completed her education through an Adult Literacy program in Baltimore, Maryland. In 1985, she attended the Community College of Baltimore and received her GNA training. She received Christ at an early age and was baptized at the Red Hill Baptist Church in SC. She loved the Lord with all her heart, and later she would instill that love into all of her children. Every Sunday morning, Mahalia Jackson’s voice sang out from the record player as she preparedfor church service. She later converted to the Jehovah’s Witness faith. She truly enjoyed the bible study and going out for field service where she shared the good news with others. She remained a witness even though her health failed and she could no longer go out to serve. She met Willie Blake Curbeam at a church service and the two were married on December 24, 1947. From this union, 7 children were born (5 girls and 2 boys). They moved from South Carolina to Virginia Beach and later to Baltimore. In Baltimore, she settled in as a stay-at-home mother. She unconditionally loved her family and showed her children how to love and to be of service to others. She was an excellent cook, and her table and home were open to anyone. There were always neighborhood children sitting at her table; and as her children grew up, their friends became family friends. The family home was the place to be for all celebrations. She started the annual back to school cookout so that all of her grandchildren were ready for school. She loved going out with her girls to celebrate birthdays. One of the highlights of her life was to learn how to drive and have her own car which she achieved at the age of 63. She was a big fan of the Baltimore Orioles and Ravens. She knew the players by name.After all of her children were in school, she found employment at several companies before going to the Edgewood Nursing Home, now Autumn Lake. There she worked as a GNA and was instrumental in unionizing the workers. She retired from Edgewood in 1983. Due to physical health challenges, she moved into FutureCare at Good Samaritan and was loved by the staff. Many of whom referred to her as Mama or Grandma. She was preceded in death by her husband, Willie Blake Curbeam Sr., and two daughters, Lillian Juanita and Montana Curbeam. Emily leaves to celebrate her life: a sister, Helen Davis of Buffalo, NY; two sons, Melvin (Judy) and Willie Blake, Jr. (Rhonda); three daughters, Eloise (Fletcher), Willie Denise (Leon), Terri Linn (Shelton) and an adopted daughter, Jestine Brown; thirteen grandchildren, twenty-two great-grandchildren, seven great-great-grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.

Tributes

Emily Curbeam

April 20, 1928 - March 31, 2023