Curtis Kendrick Jr.

Curtis Kendrick, Jr., age 93, of Memphis, Tennessee, passed away on April 15, 2026, in Atlanta, Georgia. He was born on December 9, 1932, in Benton County, Mississippi to Curtis Kendrick and Mae Ida (McClellan) Kendrick. He attended Booker T. Washington High School and Griggs Business College. Curtis was a United States Army Veteran with experience as a paratrooper. He was also a licensed pilot. He worked as a VA Hospital Cardiac Catheterization Technician for over 20 years.

Curtis married the love of his life, Rita Lawscha Kendrick, in Memphis, Tennessee. Their union spanned almost 45 years and was spent serving St. Augustine Catholic Church, Memphis, Tennessee. He dedicated himself to the Men of St. Augustine (Bible Study, church hospitality, golf tournament, Men’s Day Choir, Men Who Cook, etc.). He faithfully served the Lord as a Minister of the Eucharist. He also was accomplished with computers and at tennis.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Curtis Kendrick and Mae Ida Kendrick; and daughter, Joycelyn Jari’ Johnson (Arthur III) Perry.

Curtis is survived by his beloved wife, Rita Lawscha Kendrick; daughters, Verna Johnson Morton, Cheryl (Rodney) Beckles, and Jann Johnson; son, Cedric (June) Killebrew; grandsons, Cecil James Morton, Rodney Ryan Beckles, and Cedrick Killebrew; granddaughters, Sabryna Beckles, Karlyne Killebrew, and Rebekah Killebrew; and great-grandchildren, Lawrence Killebrew, and Kayla Killebrew.