Dorothy M. Peterson Curl

Dorothy M. Curl, 83, born on July 30, 1929 passed away on May 23, 2013. Her father, Arthur Ralph Peterson married her mother, Florence Mable Peterson in Sylvis, Illinois where they both grew up. They had 3 daughters. Dorothy Curl, Betty Ross and Donna Roberts. Dorothy was the oldest and is the last surviving daughter.

At the age of 14 she attended a Billy Graham Crusade in Moline, Illinois where she accepted Christ. She was a member of First Baptist Church in Silvis, Illinois where she was involved in Youth for Christ.

She graduated from United Township High School in East Moline Illinois in 1947. When she moved to Houston, she attended the University of Houston for a few years.

In 1951, she got to Texas as soon as she could with her parents, two sisters and her daughter, Terry, making their home in Houston.

When Terry and her cousins were young, Dottie would try to take as many as she could to church with her and as often as she could. It was at this time, she was able to help create their journey with Jesus.

Dottie was a single mom until she married Carroll Amberson Curl who was the family dentist for many years. With her sweet Christian spirit and through her witnessing that allowed Doc to see how much trust she had in God, he came to know Jesus as his personal savior.

They were married 12 years before God called him home on May 18, 1992. Carroll or "Doc or Pop" as he was called and Dottie were very involved at Houston's First Baptist Church where they were one of the cutest couples you would ever meet. She published the Crown Voice newsletter in her Sunday school. She would spend hours talking with the class members and putting it to paper what their prayer requests were. She liked doing this and did so for many years. Dottie was currently a member of Sugar Creek Baptist Church in Sugar Land.

At her 50th high school reunion, she wrote these following words that gave her great comfort: "For as long as I know in my heart to be true, that darkness will fade with the morning light then nothing in life can defeat me for I know God will break all the chains that are binding me tight, in this darkness and trying to fill me with fear, for there is no night without dawning...and I know that my morning is near."

She had many hobbies and she would complete each and every project, but did have an intense interest in oil painting. She started painting around 1975 when she became ill and was not able to work. A sample of her work is on display, “Jesus on the road to Emmaus”.

For the last 10 years of her life, she lived with Terry and Gary where she could get that extra TLC that she so deserved and needed. The last year of her life, she spent in an assisted living facility. She had taken care of "Doc", her mother and now this was her time to rest and relax and be taken care of.

In fact, just 2 days before she left us, Dottie and Terry were driving around Sugar Land and talking when Terry said that she would take her to church and also Sunday School so she could hear Pastor Marty's lesson. Dottie got so excited about going that her voice elevated and her bright blue eyes got even brighter. Terry said a silent prayer that she would be able to make it since she was extremely weak. Little did we know that she would be missing Pastor Marty's class she so wanted to be at and would be in the presence of Jesus, looking at Him face to face and listening to Him. We can only imagine what it will be like for her. WHAT A JOY!

When she became a Grandmother, she knew she had found her calling. She loved being Mema to Matt. She leaves behind a family that will miss her. She now has 6 great-grandchildren and they all called her Mema.

She gave her family so many year of endless happy memories, ones that they will treasure. Through out the years they will smile and remember how much their lives had been richly blessed by her.

Terry thanks God for allowing Dottie, to be her "Mother Dear"!

Dottie is survived by her, daughter and son-in-law, Terry and Gary Craig; grandson, Matt Becker and his wife, Nicole; six great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

Visitation with the family will be held from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., Tuesday, May 28, 2013 at Waltrip Funeral Directors. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, May 29, 2013 in the Family Chapel in Brookside Memorial Park Funeral Home, 13747 Eastex Frwy, Houston, TX 77039, Rev. Marty Mikelson, officiating. Interment will follow in Brookside Cemetery.