Precious moments_Grandma Dot loved the word precious and nothing suits better in describing my memories spent with her. My earliest memories are of her being fearless stepping over a large bull snake in the cherry orchard at her house in Sutherlin that I was not going to make it past, her loving care of me when I was sick and had a high fever when my parents were out of town, reading chapters of Grandma's attic at bedtime, and getting up in the very early morning while everyone else was asleep and us visiting in her kitchen while her coffee was percolating. Later memories of hearing her praying as her Mom did for everyone in our family and encouraging me when I was so scared raising my girls on my own.  Her model of strength and her consistent pursuit of our Lord for his provision and direction  set the example of what I want to pass on to my girls.  One of my last sweet conversations with her was her excitement over my engagement and our discussion of the Lord's redemption.  She shared she had been praying for me (as I knew she already had been) but shared she had also been covering my fiance Darren and his boys in prayer.  She shared her pride in knowing we both were following hard after God and putting him first in our lives and decisions.  All add up to be incredible precious moments with my Grandma Dot.  

It is hard to write what you meant to me. The many Sunday Mornings I spent with both of you were a pleasure. 80th Birthday in Pacific Grove and the smile on both of your faces. 

A trip with Bill to Strawberry where there was a little snow on the ground. A lunch in Twain Harte where you loved to go and talk about your childhood.  

Mom a special memory when we took Grandma to San Francisco in the limousine. The Sunday Morning Breakfasts with you, Grandma and Aunt Eva. They were always special.

How you acted in your sixties like you were sixteen when I found out you were dating Bill.

How you loved to read books to Bill and how he enjoyed that.

How Bill made you laugh.

When I found you both asleep in your recliners. What a hoot!!

You always set an excellent example for all of us to follow!

Always pulled more than your share.

How you saved Lucas in Hawaii when the wave would have pulled him out to sea.

Biscuits and Gravy. 

Pineapple Upside down cake. Both of the Bill's favorite.

I did not mention in the above memories of your love of God and they way you lived your lives. That did not need to be said. You lived it.



 

Brother and Sister Curten were the type of people that are the backbone of a local church, They were loyal and consistent and willing to be used in any way the Lord desired of them. Bill preached many times in my pulpit and I always knew that what he would say would be both sound in doctrine and glorifying to the Lord. I have known Bill for approximately 50 years and echo what my father in-law and pastor of Lamont Assembly back in the 1960s used to say about him, Bill Curten he said "is solid and an asset to any church". I later as a pastor found this to be true. I really hated to see the Curtens move from our area a few years ago and miss their presence very much. They have run their race and finished their course and are now in the winners circle with the Lord. It is just a matter of time until I will see them again, this is the hope of the righteous and the goal of all God's children.

My memories...Morrow Bay and purple.
Jamestown and sasparilla.
Lake Isabella and sunburns.
Breaking one of your goblets at your wedding.
Dot playing for my wedding.
A phone call that ended with "Me and Dot pray for you and your family every night".


I read a saying one time, that if you want your children to know God as their Father then they must first see God in their father and that is how you lived with you being a servant of God and living your life that we knew God was in your life. You made our life interesting telling us stories of sailing the seas. we didn't realize the dangers you were in during World War 2, you and your fellow ship mates were blessed to have a gun on your ship, most Merchant Marine ships didn't.  We traveled to many places where you preached revivals, started churches, and pastored many. But I think the place that you loved the most and where your heart was, was in Jemez N.M. where you ministered to the Jemez Indians.  I have always been thankful for the way you and Mom brought us up and teaching us the right way to live.
After Mom passed away and went to be with the Lord, God put another Godly lady in your life. Dottie help you study and writing your notes so you could read them, as your writing was never that good. You were blessed to have two ladies that we read about in Proverbs 31 They looked well to their households and their husband and their children rise up and called them blessed.
Your song Tell Me His Name Again, and telling the story of how the song was wrote always meant a lot to me. How wonderful to know you sang the song a few hours before you left to be with the Lord. I would also like to say that Dottie's hands were anointed of God as she played the piano, I have heard a lot of piano playing but as far as I am concerned no one can match Dottie's playing with God's anointing on her. I loved you both and I miss you both very much.

I remember Dottie from a small child, as a Godly woman with dignity and good character. I remember being with her and her family at many different gatherings and fellowship meetings, and playing with Bill and Richard. Bruce and Carlene were very small therefore I don't remember much about them. However I am thankful Dad and Dottie married later in life and were such a Blessed pair. Dottie helped Dad so much in his ministry and together they studied, prayed and embraced life with such vigor and love and caring that they became a blessing to others. Dottie played the piano for our wedding and we were so thankful that Dottie also played for our daughter Denise and Dusty's wedding in Arkansas 27 years later. So thankful to have Dottie's family in our family all these years later.

I will certainly miss my Father-in-Law. I had a lot of respect and admiration for him, I just had a problem telling him how much I loved him. I remember him when I was a young boy and I always wanted to preach like him, I thought he was the best preacher I ever heard. I thought everything Dad did was just great, then I married his daughter in 1965 and began to try and forge our life together !!! was I ever surprised to find life was not easy, my Father-in-law made everything look so easy. He loaned me the money to buy my first and only pedal steel guitar which I still have and play today , that was in 1976. They came over that night to see their investment Dad certainly loved his children and their families , always praying for all of them and by name often. Dad's faithfulness and stability be greatly missed.

Special times for Emmelia and Great Grandma Dot...

Mother-in-Law
Over the years, many friends and acquaintances have mentioned their mother-in-laws.  They have either had to endure their relationships or have resorted to making jokes about them.  
You,  Dottie, have defied all of the typical "mother-in-law stigmas.  You have been such a blessing in my life.  The definition of mother-in-law..."the mother of one's spouse"...doesn't begin to tell all that you have been to me for more than 40 years.  You have been my friend and someone that I could stay up all night chatting with.  How did we have enough energy to stay up until 5 in the morning?
You have been my mentor and spiritual advisor on many  occasions.  You have covered a variety of areas in my life...from making biscuits, to child rearing,  piano tutoring,  husband caring, game playing,  flower loving and Scripture finding.  You have taught me how to love life and get through the tough times.
Dottie, you are truly the Proverbs 31 woman.  The Living Bible says in Proverbs 31:25-31 the following..."She is a woman of strength and dignity, and has no fear of old age.  When she speaks, her words are wise, and kindness is the rule for everything she says.  She watches carefully all that goes on throughout her household, and is never lazy.  Her children stand and bless her; so does her husband.  He praises her with these words: There are many fine women in the world, but you are the best of them all!  Charm can be deceptive and beauty doesn't last, but a woman who fears and reverences God shall be greatly praised.  Praise her for the many fine things she does.  These good deeds of hers shall bring her honor and recognition from even the leaders of nations.
I love you Dot and you will always be MOM to me.  Hugs and Kisses...Carla

One thing I hope I won't forget is the sound of Grandma Dot's laugh. She had such a great laugh and I always tried to find more and more things to get her to laugh because I loved it so much. I'm so glad she was able to be married to Bill who was hilarious and made her laugh so much. I am so glad to know she and Bill were welcomed into the arms of Christ. They both spent so much time in the word and to know the Lord more that I'm sure they were able to pick him out in a crowd when they stepped into glory. 

Mom, Bill may wear the t-shirt, but we really know the truth!  You were a terrific Mother to us all.  Thank you for the prayers that sustained me throughout my life.  I could have taken a lot of paths(many that were not good) except for your prayers urging God to intervene.  Guess what!  He did...

Mom, were dancing so well...then Jesus cut in...

Uncle Bill was more than just an Uncle to me, he was and always will be a hero.  He's someone I've looked up to my entire life and was the example I used when I needed to see what a man was supposed to be in life.  I, like all my siblings, will miss Uncle Bill immensely but we will never forget him or stop loving him.

To Janice, Cliff and Dale:  You all are our sister and brothers and we will do anything you need us to do to help in your time of sorrow.

Love Always,
Rich and Glenda Byrd

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Bill and Dottie Curten

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