Willie Mae Curry

The Bright Beginning:

Born as Willie Mary Jones (Baby Mae) on December 8, 1932 in Idabelle, Oklahoma to Willie Hayward Jones and Daisy Mae (Alexander) Jones. As a young child, Willie Mary was raised by her her loving, Aunt Myra Dee Jones (Cole) who was a school teacher; her grandmother, Mary Jones who was a school principal; as well as her proud father, Willie Hayward Jones, Jr. who owned a variety of businesses throughout his life which including car lots, car repair shops and building which housed the school bus for Booker T. Washington school. Willie Mary truly loved to share her family history.

She was raised as a pampered only child until age 12. Her family taught her well, she had many childhood friends; she loved to read a wide variety of books and excelled in school. Then known as Baby Mae, she started to live part-time with her mother, Daisy who had moved to Phoenix, Arizona and remarried. In 1948, during a family trip to Madera, California to visit her mother's only sibling, Aunt Vi (Viola Johnson), when Willie Mae first met and soon married her first husband, Theodore McAlister in 1950. They raised six children in a Christian home together. Although, Willie was so proud to work, she first worked in housekeeping for The Callaway's and Oberti Olive family homes. Then moved from cleaning their homes to the cashiering at Callaway's Drug Store and then to Oberti Olives processing plant as a sorter supervisor. She completed her high school diploma at Fresno City College. However, after over 20 yrs, Willie Mae and Theodore separated in 1971.

The Crucial Middle:

Willie Mae relocated to Riverside, California and began working at UC Riverside as a Pub services supervisor, then moved to the new Ole's retail store as it's first house-ware's department manager. In 1972, Willie married Ollie James Caradine. After the school year ended, Willie moved her (3) youngest children with her to Riverside as well. Ollie had 4yr. old son, Ollie Jr. that joined the family a year later. The blended family lived in Riverside, and their children graduated high school, then some onto college or committed to military service. The youngest Ollie Jr. was baptized at 18yrs old. The Caradine's bought family homes in the Rubidoux area, then La Sierra and lastly in Moreno Valley, CA in 1995. They had been married 21 yrs. when Ollie passed away.

The Amazing End:

In 1996, a longtime hometown friendship was renewed, and Willie Mae married Edward Curry, of Oakland California. They both enjoyed a large blended family of adult children and grandchildren. They laughed, shared new dreams and were simply looking to enjoy their twilight years together. During this time, Willie continued to work to improve her skills by returning to Riverside Community College to complete a few more certificates and received accolades for her hard work and many successes. She worked at the Riverside Superior courts in Exhibits for 16 years and then retired in 2009. All the while, she clung to her solid faith in Jesus Christ as her personal Lord and Savior, and could not be moved. Trinity Baptist Church was her longtime source of spiritual growth and fellowship. She gained so many amazing friends, family and loved ones to laugh with; to cry with; and support throughout this time. She was blessed with great kindness and care plus a lot of laughter with her family and close friends. This was a strong source of her joy.

Willie Mae leaves to mourn - Husband: Edward Curry; Her children: Delbert McAlister, (Riverside, CA), Ruby McClellan (Riverside, CA), Quinn Jean McAlister, Phillips Ranch, CA; Larry Darrell McAlister (Madera, CA); numerous Grandchildren and Great-Grandchildren; Siblings: Ella Galloway-Smith (Dallas, TX), Charles Howard (Los Angeles, CA), Rosalyn Howard and brother-in-law, Ronnie Howard (Riverside/Victorville, CA).

Willie Mae was preceded in death by her Children: Theodore (Teddy) Roosevelt McAlister (Madera, CA), Daisy Lou McAlister (Madera, CA), Ralph R. McAlister (Madera, CA) and Ollie Caradine, Jr. (Riverside, CA.); Parents: Mr. Willie Hayward Jones (Idabel, OK) and Mrs. Daisy Howard (Phoenix, AZ); Siblings: Albert Allen (Los Angeles), Houston Turner (Phoenix, AZ), Charlie Lee (Idabel, OK), Mitchell Howard (Phoenix, AZ), Mrs. Ernestine McClure (Sacramento, CA), Sandra Howard-Gaines (Tucson, AZ) and Bobbi Howard (San Diego/Los Angeles, CA).

She will forever be loved, missed and cherished.