Florence Curtis

Florence lived boldly, loved fiercely, and never did anything halfway. From big hair to an even bigger faith, she carried herself with holy boldness, glam, and plenty of sparkle and bling. She never met a stranger and encouraged everyone around her to “dare to be different.”

Florence was born on June 23, 1948, in Little Rock, Arkansas, to James J. Kelley and Alta (Rushing) Kelley. She spent her childhood in St. Louis, Missouri, and Little Rock, Arkansas, where she graduated from Central High School in 1967.

On December 17, 1975, she married the love of her life, Arthur Curtis, at Rose Hill Church of the Nazarene in Little Rock. Following the ceremony, the couple sped off on a motorcycle for their honeymoon—an adventurous beginning to a life full of love and shared experiences.

Florence’s work life reflected her adventurous spirit and wide range of talents. She began working at Sterling Department Store in downtown Little Rock at just 14 years old. Over the years, she worked in many roles, including teaching cosmetology at Arthur’s Beauty College, where she became the family’s go-to source for beauty tips.

Her varied interests led her to work as a flight scheduler for Texas International Airlines, a Weight Watchers lecturer, an aerobics instructor, a cake decorator, and a grocery store clerk. One of her most memorable experiences was serving as a cast member in the Passion Play in Eureka Springs, Arkansas.

Florence’s Christian faith was the cornerstone of her life. She pursued theological studies at a Missionary Baptist seminary and later at Oral Roberts University. She used that knowledge faithfully as a Sunday School teacher at Eastern Star Baptist Church during the 1970s. She was also actively involved with Operation Christmas Child through Samaritan’s Purse, and she and Arthur participated in mission work with Harvest House Children of Christ Orphanage in Davao, Philippines.

Blessed with a strong soprano voice, Florence was a regular singer at Wildflowers Chapel during the 1990s, sharing her love of worship through music.

Because Arthur’s work required travel, Florence chose to homeschool her children, allowing them to experience different parts of the country while learning together as a family. Her generous spirit also led her to open her home to foreign exchange students and to help care for elderly relatives whenever needed.

She is preceded in death by her parents and her sisters, Claudette Floy Shadwick, Emily Joy Kelley, and Margaret Kelley Burns.

Florence is survived by her beloved husband of 50 years, Arthur D. Curtis of Rogers; her daughters, Lynn DeLaRosa (Ed) of Granville, Tennessee, and Autumn Nichols (Travis) of Rogers; her sons, Kenneth Curtis of Longview, Arkansas, and Arthur Curtis Jr. (Lena) of Tulsa, Oklahoma; and her 13 grandchildren, to whom she was affectionately known as “Glam-ma,” “Nina,” and “Nonnie”: Matthew Holman, Allison Curtis, Sage DeLaRosa Angel, Arthur Curtis III, Briana Curtis, Dimitri Curtis, Alana Curtis, Gabriella Curtis, Yana Curtis, Maya Curtis, Henderson Nichols, Nikolai Curtis, and Harlow Nichols.

She is also survived by her great-grandchildren, Heidi Holman, Addy Holman, Bradley Holman, and Milana Curtis; as well as her nieces and nephews, Jylane Trayer, Joy Allen, and John Price.