Robert Blain Curry

Mr. Robert Blain Curry age 82, of Gulfport, Mississippi passed away peacefully with his family by his side on Sunday, March 8, 2026, at Memorial Health System in Gulfport, Mississippi. Blain was born on May 16, 1943, in Eupora, Mississippi to the late Jim Curry and Gertrude Blain Curry. Blain grew up in Eupora Mississippi and was a 1961 graduate of Eupora High School. He spent much of his time in the afternoons, weekends and summers at his father's welding shop and taking flying lessons with his father growing up. He attended First Baptist Church in Eupora where he sang in the choir and played trumpet. After high school, he attended Delta State University earning a bachelor's degree in music education where he played first trumpet, received various awards and was a member of Phi Mu Alpha. Blain went on to marry Sara Jane Palmer and moved to the Mississippi Gulf Coast in 1964 where he taught for thirty plus years. During this time, he taught at West Elementary School, West Jr. High School, Bayou View Jr. High School, Central Elementary School, Central Jr. High School and Gulfport High School. Under his leadership, he and the bands won various awards. Blain also served as President of the Gulf Coast Band Director's Association, Mississippi Phi Beta Mu, organized America's 200th Bicentennial Birthday where he wrote, arranged music and directed the Drum and Fife Corps and his students honored him by declaring October 6th Blain Curry Day. Blain was later a member at New Hope Baptist Church and member of Bayou Baptist Church in Gulfport, Mississippi where he served various roles as Director of the Youth Department, VBS, Royal Ambassadors, Sunday School Teacher, Choir Director, Deacon and directing the Community Handel's Messiah. He also served in outreach ministries of the Gideon's International and Seaman's Center Gulfport Harbor. He was also a charter member of the Experimental Aircraft Association and contributor to the Aviation Museum. Blain is survived by his loving wife, Sara Jane Palmer Curry of Gulfport, Mississippi; one daughter, Pamela Jane Curry (Alan) Shepherd also of Gulfport, Mississippi; three grandchildren, Michael Alan (Julia) Shepherd, Jessica Jane Shepherd (Benjamin George) Householder and Gabriel Blain (Josie Perry) Shepherd; four great grandchildren, William Alan, Arthur Joseph, Loxley Anne and Alora Willine; one sister, Annie G. Curry (Mike) Brannon and a host of nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, Jim Curry, Gertrude Blain Curry and Vera McKay Butts Curry; one sister, Joy Kay Butts Hillhouse and two brothers, Jim Hugh Curry and Ted M. Butts. Funeral Services will be held at 11:00AM on Friday, March 13, 2026, at Oliver Funeral Home Chapel in Eupora, Mississippi. The family will receive friends and loved ones for a time of visitation from 10:30AM until time for services at 11:00AM on Friday, March 13, 2026, at Oliver Funeral Home. Interment will follow at Eupora City Cemetery. Dr. Chris King will officiate the services. Pallbearers will be Alan Shepherd, Michael Alan Shepherd, Benjamin George Householder, Gabriel Blain Shepherd, William Alan Shepherd and Arthur Joseph Shepherd. Oliver Funeral Home of Eupora is honored to be entrusted with all arrangements for the Curry family.