Anna Lois Curtis of Allen passed away on Sunday, August 19, 2012, at the age of eighty-eight. She was the only child of Minnie and Dan Gilliland of Allen. Lois was a life-time member of the First Baptist Church of Allen.
Lois graduated from Allen High School in 1942 and married her sweetheart, Walter Curtis on August 16, 1942. They celebrated their fiftieth wedding anniversary in 1992, just three weeks prior to Walter’s death. Lois and Walt were blessed with three children: Dan Curtis of Fairview, Bob Curtis and Laurana Allen both of Allen. Lois helped her husband on the family farm for many years while raising three children. In 1955, Lois was hired as the “head cook” for the then small Allen Independent School District. Lois, along with one other friend, Iva Morrow, cooked and served lunch daily for all Allen students in grades one through twelve. Over the years as the district grew in size and number, Lois’ duties increased until she gave up her cooking duties and assumed the role as Food Service Director for Allen ISD. Lois’ dedication to the students of Allen never wavered as she tried to provide the students with a nourishing meal and a kind word or smile. Upon her retirement in 1992, Lois had accumulated thirty-seven years of service to the students of Allen ISD. In 1994, Lois and her husband, Walter Curtis were honored for their seventy plus years of service to Allen ISD with the naming of the new middle school, Walter and Lois Curtis Middle School. At the dedication, Lois told everyone that they were “just doing what was needed to help the district and the students”. Even after her retirement, Lois continued her devotion to Allen ISD by being present at Curtis Middle School on the first day of school to welcome the students.
Lois is survived by her three loving children and their families, Dan and Barbara Curtis of Fairview, Bob and Mandy Curtis of Allen, and Laurana and Marty Allen of Allen. Lois was affectionately known as “Meme” to her six grandchildren: Stephanie Walston and husband, Greg, Stacey Dunstan and husband, Rob, Bobby Curtis, Cara Valentine and husband, Mike, Kyle Allen and wife, Ashley and Clint Christie and wife, Jodi. She also had the privilege of being great-grandmother to Grace Walston, Abby Walston and Hunter Wilson. She was a loving presence in the lives of not only her family, but to her many friends from Allen ISD and her Sunday school class.
Arrangements are being handled by Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Funeral Home in Allen. Family visitation will be held on Tuesday evening, August 21, from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. The funeral service will be held on Wednesday, August 22, 2012, at 3:30 p.m. at the First Baptist Church of Allen with burial at the Allen Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, the Foundation for Allen Schools or your favorite charity.