Jean Esther Curry

Jean Esther Curry was born March 19, 1942 in Jackson, Mississippi to Clara Bell and Wilson Torry, Sr. She was the first of five children born to this union. She was affectionately nicknamed “Joe” by her adoring father.

Jean was educated in parochial schools until reaching high school, and in 1960, she proudly graduated from Lanier High School. She then went on to pursue her dream of attending college, graduating in the spring of 1964 from Tougaloo College with a major in English and a minor in French.

Jean relocated to Chicago to begin her professional career, and it is there that she met Rapheal (Ray) through a family friend. Jean and Rapheal went on to marry on August 22, 1965. To this union were two children: son Andrew and daughter Harlan. In 1978, to retreat from the harsh winters of Chicago, Jean and Ray relocated their young family to Houston, Texas.

In addition to being a devoted and loving mother and wife, Jean also passionately pursued a career of service working with public school systems and non-profit organizations. Specifically, she taught English in both Chicago and Houston public schools and was also employed in various leadership capacities with non-profit organizations such as the American Red Cross, the Girl Scouts of America, the Mental Health and Mental Retardation Authorities of Harris County, and Family to Family Network where she served as Executive Director.

Jean grew up at Greater Clark Street Baptist Church. She later became a member of Christ Universal Temple Church in Chicago, IL. Most currently, she has been a dedicated member of Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church for the last 35 years. At Wheeler Avenue, she was an active member of the Women’s Guild and was critical in the creation and development of the ever popular annual Women’s Retreat.

After a lengthy illness that Jean fought with indescribable strength and grace, she slept into a peaceful transition to Glory on December 8, 2015. She is preceded in death by her father Wilson Torry, Sr. and her younger brother Paul Torry.

Left to cherish her wonderful impact are: dedicated and loving husband Rapheal Curry; son Andrew Curry; daughter Harlan Harris Lampkin (Myron); grandchildren Kennedye Nailah Harris, McKenzie Raye Curry, and Marlon Wade Lampkin; mother Clara Bell Torry; sisters Gwendolyn Moore and Cheryl Worthy; brother Wilson Torry, Jr.; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other dear relatives, and friends.