Eddie Curry
Bishop Eddie Curry, 80, of Chattanooga, passed away on Saturday, December 29, 2018, in a local hospital.
He was born to independent cotton farmers, Willie and Martha (Smith) Curry, in Shaw, Mississippi on November 18, 1938. The sixth child and second son of 16 children, he developed a love for family and new adventures, often walking miles to the country store to purchase cheese and crackers for his father. His father’s astonishment of the exaggerated cost for the small amount of cheese and crackers was no concern to him until he later confessed, as a result of a convicted heart, to eating a portion of cheese and crackers on the return trip. It was this same love for adventure and conviction which prompted him to strike out at the young age of 18 in pursuit of a new life in Miami, FL. A school age near-fatal incident involving a plowing tractor which severed his leg, left him in a coma for 120 days, and was mended with a steel plate. This incident instilled a determination for success and a tenacity for accomplishment.
It was during these developing young adult years, Eddie, met Sis. McMurter Rolle, who introduced him to the holiness faith. His love for starched white shirts and creased-thinner-than-a-dime khakis was emboldened as an avid church goer. Coconut Grove became his pied-a-terre and life was taking shape for the young transplant.
Several years after his immersion in the international Miami scene, he met Mollie Danzy. A brief courtship resulting in a church wedding followed by prayer meeting the following night was to be his fate. To this union was born five sons and three daughters. Desiring a large family, three other attempts were unsuccessful.
The Bishop, as he is affectionately monikered by his family, would pastor eight churches in four Southern states. Most appointments were plans which included cutting your own path with sheer determination, grit, and divine impartation. His legacy has been to preach “under a pecan tree” until he had a pulpit. Where the pulpit was insufficient, he would lead the congregation in a capital fund drive and meet and exceed his goal on every occasion. He was a modern-day Nehemiah who never found a site that he could not convert into a church. He had a mind to think, a hand to work and a heart to love. Health has prevented him from enjoying and participating in two of the things he enjoyed the most – ministry and traveling. However, his most important loves, which are tied for first place have always afforded an opportunity to exercise his gift – the love for his Jesus, and the love for his family.
Time spent with his family and in study of the Word has been his passion throughout his life. Educating the eight energetic children via teachable moments, often involving a well-used leather strap, was the rule of the day. This followed by daily prayer devotions often in the middle of a prime-time movie was an uncompromising standard. There was always time for Family Prayer. He wanted to ensure all of his children were not just members of the church, yet each would have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
Licensed in 1958, he served the Church of God of Prophecy for 60 years without interruption. He was consecrated as a Bishop in 1972. Bishop Curry pastored Miccousukee COGOP, Miccousukee, Florida; West Bessemer COGOP, Bessemer, AL; West Riverside COCOP, McMinnville, TN; Midway Mission, Memphis, TN; Wilson Street COGOP, Chattanooga, TN; Blue Ridge COGOP, Dalton, GA; and Cathedral of Praise, Ft. Oglethorpe, GA where he concluded his course. He co-pastored with his beloved bride Lebanon COGOP, Lebanon, TN, and Tabernacle of Praise COGOP, Ringgold, GA.
Bishop Curry was preceded in death by his mother and father, his beloved wife and partner of 51 years – Mollie (Danzy), five sisters – Grace Wilson, Lucinda Kent, Dorothy Kent, Martha Jean, Joanne Mimms, Martha Mae Fort; four brothers, Willie, Johnny, James, and Malachi Curry.
Bishop Curry leaves to cherish his memories four sisters, Thelma Stewart, Mildred Smith, Alma Shumpert, and Bernice (Bill) Anderson, all of St. Louis, MO; and two brothers, Ezekiel (Electora), Anderson, both of Memphis, TN; two sisters-in-law, Ollie Mae Curry and Emma (Tommy) Hughes; eight children, Eduardo (Tamara), Acquila (Danny) Young, Marthel (William) Young, Kenardo (Ivy), Delrika (Naomi), Callievene (Derrick) Stewart, Peterious, and Eudreon (Tasha); grandchildren D’Leon (Karina) Young, Eduardo, II (Jennifer), Morgan (Jordan) Brown, Janson Young, Xavier, Mikayla, King, Garrison Stewart, Winter, Ever, Giovanna, Coral, Kyla, Gabriela, Love, Bloom, Teleeda Davis, Jamie, Derrick, Jr., Justin Stewart; three great-grandchildren, Olivia Curry, Brennan Young, and Daniel Young, and a devoted niece, Mary Ann Smith; a host of nieces; nephews; cousins; other relatives and friends.
Visitation is on Friday, Jan. 4, from 6-8 p.m. at Taylor Funeral Home.
Funeral services will be on Saturday, Jan. 5, at 11 a.m. at Chickamauga Loop COGOP with Reverend Dr. Eduardo K. Curry, I as the eulogist. Burial will be in Highland Memorial Gardens.