Kathy Curtis

With profound sadness, we announce the sudden passing of Kathy Callahan Curtis, 71, of Richmond, Texas, who was called home to the Lord on November 28, 2024.

An Air Force brat, Kathy was born on September 25, 1953 in Biloxi, Mississippi and spent the majority of her childhood traveling with her family to bases both home and abroad. She and her family settled in her parents' hometown of Philadelphia, MS in 1965 and she graduated from Philadelphia High School in 1971. She attended Ole Miss, at which she pursued an education in English Literature and raised some "good trouble" before meeting the love of her life, Andy Curtis. Together, they moved to Richmond, Texas, their home for the next 50 years.

Kathy possessed a large and giving heart and was known for her ability to make friends easily and make those friends feel like family. She lit up every room with her incandescent smile and loved her friends and family unreservedly and selflessly. She was often the first to sign up as Team Mom for her children's youth sports, serve on a Booster Club or PTA committee, and was the loudest person in the audience for any of her grandchildren's performances. She was an excellent cook, a consummate hostess and a frankly terrible seamstress. She loved every sport known to man, but especially enjoyed college football, rooting on her Ole Miss Rebels through both the good times and the not so good times.

Kathy's compassion extended to both loved ones and strangers alike, and she would often secretly pay off the utility bills of people in her neighborhood who were struggling financially. One of her favorite activities was playing Mrs. Claus at a local school, passing out gifts to kids who might not otherwise receive one.

She worked for Fluor Corporation for over 40 years in the Project Document and Data Management department, eventually serving as Department Manager and Global Excellence Leader, before retiring in 2020. Along the way, she touched many lives and mentored several young professionals on their way to fulfilling careers.

Kathy is preceded in death by her parents, Thomas and Edna Callahan, and her older brothers, Wayne Callahan and Jim Callahan. She is survived by her loving husband of 47 years, William "Andy" Curtis; her daughter Erin (Peter Wood) Curtis; son Daniel (Melyssa) Curtis; her beautiful grandchildren, Marilyn "M'elle", Abigail, Sebastian, Charlotte and William; sisters Gina (Richard) Callahan-Smith and Felecia (Rick) Walley; brother Tommy Callahan; brothers-in-law Rev. James (Helen) Curtis and Mike (Janie) Curtis, and scores of cousins, nieces, nephews, in-laws, great-nieces and great-nephews. She also leaves behind too many friends and found family to number.

A celebration of life will be held at St. John's United Methodist Church at 400 Jackson St, Richmond, TX, 77469 on December 13, 2024 at 5:00 pm, with a reception to follow.

A second memorial service will be held in Philadelphia, MS at a later date.

The family would like to thank Kathy's many friends, neighbors, and former coworkers for their outpouring of love and support during this difficult time.