I have so many fond memories of Curtiss and the Nunally family.  I was lucky to meet Roxy and Curtiss through the Craft Center. Our first children are the same age and when they were young they were our best family friends. We stayed in touch with them over the years, visiting the many cities they lived in. During college, Roxy and I were non traditional art students at Tech as young moms. We juggled class, babies and jobs with support from our husbands. Sometimes we would leave Kaya and Micah who were babies (under a year) with Curtiss so we could go to class or get our work finished in the studio.  I recall a time when we got back and Curtiss had a baby in his backpack and a baby in his arms. He did this like a pro, not stressed laughing about it and it was a sight we still laugh about. Looking back I can't believe he agreed time and time again to watch the girls so we could attend that class but those times allowed Micah and Kaya to play and they became best buddies. He was always willing to juggle the challenges of parenthood and was a natural at fatherhood. I am certain his love and energy will carry on into his children forever.

This was a picture I took of Curtis as we walked down the beach on the last day at Cumberland Island. I really don’t remember what we were talking about, but it was likely about the ongoing theme of the trip, changes. Each of us had made a mix of songs for the trip and without discussing it, each of us had exactly 1 same song  on each of our mixes. That song was Landslide. Each of us just knew, as close as we all were something was changing. We had grown up together, built our circles of support around each other, through thick and thin, you always had someone you could lean on , you could count on,. We experienced life and shared experiences surrounded by our circle. We learned from each other‘s successes and gained knowledge from failures. The whole time we had together, we were building with each other we  didn’t know we were also in preparation for the inevitable change, the leaving when things are no longer the same ever again. This trip was  a turning point for each of us when things won’t be the same again and unfortunately, it won’t be our last.  Changes are inevitable, they can’t be stopped. It’s important that we do now, while we’re here in this moment. We are not guaranteed next.

On day three and into four, we had to ride out a tropical storm that happened to roll over Cumberland Island. The Ranger came up to our camp, the northern most you could be on the island, to tell us about the storm and asked/urged us if we wanted to leave that there was one more ferry coming was on the way telling us we would have enough time to pack up and make it if we wanted off the island. What did we do?  We  all decided to stay. built the fetched roof shelter you see Brandon, Dana, and Curtis sitting underneath. We even found a giant wooden spool that was used to run the power lines through the island and brought it back to camp as an impromptu table we could all sit around together in defiance of the storm. The roof held pretty well some leaks to develop, but it was the wind blowing the rain in that was the real inconvenience.

We were warned by the park range, but we had no idea of the extent of what we were about to  witness. On our first evening  staying on the island we went for a walk,  when we came back our camp had been attacked by a well coordinated team of commando raccoons  and ninja squirrels working in tandem the raccoons would shimmy down the ropes that held our packs suspended, chew a hole in the pack, then throw food onto the ground, where the squirrels we’re ready to run it into the bushes. We lost approximately a third of our food in less than  two hours. So our solution to the problem; a three tiered hammock system in which we alternated sleeping schedules and kept a handful of stones on us so we could take aim at the pesky critters when they came back.

This was a very cold morning, after camping overnight at Joyce Kilmer, in which Clay took the trail warming his bones the  whole way. Many laughs and good times were had that morning despite the bitter cold.

This was my last great adventure with Curtis. We went to Joyce Kilmer national Park Charleston, and then we boarded a ferry at Saint Mary’s and went to Cumberland Island for a week. The crew consisted of myself, Dana Griffith, Brandon Archer, Chris Stapor, Sayota Knight, Clay Farris, and Curtis. I have many fond memories of this trip and many stories I could tell..

This picture, taken at the blue house, shows Bill Fasik and Curtis doing what they loved to do best, annoying the piss out of each other or working together to annoy everyone else in the room.  Two souls both taken too early from this world. May they keep each other company until we see them again.

Weekends were always real big for our circle. We always had something going on somewhere..

Throughout high school, we made several friends our circle blending into other people’s circles causing more to gravitate towards us.  So much so that when Curtis Brandon and I got 2 bedroom apartment right out of high school we never had less than six people staying there. When we moved into a four bedroom house, we ended up with eight staying all the time. It was like this, no matter the living arrangements or the size of the house for the  next several years we never lived alone. We had a two bedroom apartment that had six people living there, when we moved into afour bedroom house it was eight or more at any hour of the day and that trend kept on for the next few years . Living like this did teach us all one thing and that is too keep a small tight net inner circle, of those most trusted. Curtis was quite particular with his inner circle,  among his closest friends during this time were Shawn Kale, Sayota Knight, Ronnie Smith, Clay Farris, Bill Fasik and I

Most weekends our parents had us outside, running trails, climbing rocks, and hugging trees.  But sometimes we would go spelunking, yes, crawling around underground, in the mud and with the bugs.. On most occasions Paul Brooks  lead our group sometimes as few as 4 or as many as 12 . One particular trip I remember Paul, Scott, Curtis and I. We entered a cave that Paul had been too many times, but recently the spelunking club at Tennessee Tech had discovered a new passage out of the book room and we went searching for it. What we found was  a crack in the stone, about 3 feet wide and couldn’t have been more than 10-12 inches tall at the highest. We belly crawled our way through that hole, fingers, pulling, and toes pushing we soon found a vertical shaft downward not much bigger than the other. What greeted us on  the other side was a ginormous grand room, twice as big as the book room.  I truly feel you could’ve fit a football field in it.  Being in newly discovered  passages is a really cool experience, especially when you begin to think how many people had actually step foot on the ground you are standing.  We began exploring and discovered  many new passages and a 2nd grand room, Unfortunately the new passage hadn’t been mapped out, and we had went further in than the club had markers set. We were lost and looking for a literal crack in the stone to surface. Being underground in a cave for extended periods makes it hard keep a since of  time . But we all knew  our batteries were running critically low, our lights fading, trail mix and jerky were gone and water running low, It was worrying. Curtis and I were told to stay put in one of the grand rooms while Paul and Scott tried to figure out what was going on. They discovered that between the two grand rooms several smaller passageways would loop around back into the same room and we had been walking in spirals, circles and figure 8s. When we finally surfaced, we realized we had spent almost 40 hours underground.

Curtis and I grew up like brothers. In fact, my mom, Marcia,  my sister Candice, and I would go on yearly vacations with Rena, Curtis, and Remi. There wasn’t a part of Florida that I don’t think that we explored from the panhandle tourist traps, to Native American reservations in the Everglades, or to the famous Hog’s Breath Saloon  in Key West.

This photo was one of the last times that a few of us got to hang out with Curtis in Boulder Co. This photo was taken in March 2025. We were playing a dice game that my mother taught me when she was in the military that I wanted to share with Curtis. Which we had really good time playing. Top left is Becky Smith, bottom left is Ronnie Smith, top right Curtis, bottom left Sayota Knight.

March 3rd or 4th 2025. This was one of the last few moments of getting the honor to hang out with Curtis at his house in Boulder CO. We were playing a game simply called dice that my mother taught me when she was in the military. We had a such a good time. Top left is Becky Smith, bottom left Ronnie Smith, Top right is Curtis, bottom  right Sayota Knight.

Curtis always serious about having fun always brought joy to others. This moment is most cherished to the Knight Family because Curtis was so kind as to host me and my family. Along were my sisters friend and her mother enjoying a fun time on Center Hill lake. This was the first and last time I was able to ride an inner tube with my mother and younger sister Tomika. It was so nice to hear my mom cheer and laugh as we all enjoyed the water on this warm summer day. Apologies I do not know the exact date.

Catching the good vibes from Curtis at the Melele Roots performance in Cookeville on Jan 21 2001.

This photo was taken Jan 21 2001 in Cookeville at a Mele Roots performance. This band was a reggae band and I just happened to run into Curtis and some of our mutual friends. What a great night.

I first met Curtiss in 9th-grade English class after transferring to a new school. I didn't know a soul, but that class was special. One person I met there would become one of my best friends, and another would eventually become my brother-in-law. Curtiss was quiet, kind, and had a calm presence. 
Over the years, I'd see him around at school and at mutual friends' houses. Later on, Curtiss and Roxy both worked at  Crawdaddy's, which is where everything really began for them. We had a lot of fun together. Hanging out at their place, going to concerts, and making memories. I'll always remember the night we went to see Bela Fleck with a group of friends. Somehow, Roxy and I got hold of Curtiss's flask of Jack Daniels, and I, being the worrywart, poured it all out because I was afraid we would get in trouble. Curtiss just looked at me, totally calm, and said, "You poured out ALL of it?". 
Years passed, marriage, kids, moves to new states. We made so many special memories as families. Camping trips with all the kids, celebrating holidays and birthdays, and visiting them at the many amazing places they've moved to. Curtiss and Wes were always trying to keep us silly sisters in line, but they secretly loved every moment of it. 
Curtiss fought cancer so bravely. I am so grateful I got to see him just a few weeks before he passed. We shared a beer, and I got to watch him make a face at Roxy when she told him to do something he didn't want to do. We laughed. And most importantly, I got to hug him.

Prayers for all your family. I am so sorry for your loss. May God comfort you and bring you peace.

June 18th 2023 the Knight family was blessed from Curtis and Roxy's hospitality and we were given a fun tour of the downtown Boulder. As Curtis walked by this painting I saw it and said stop!! The back ground will be epic and speaks to spirit he had of being free.

This epic hike was June 23, 2023. This is the Iron Flats Royal Arches trail. We started this hike at 4 am in the morning to meet the sunrise in all its majestic presence. reaching the top of this peak was like paradise. I was so blessed to experience this sacred moment with my brother and friend.

This photo of the gang that was taken in the winter of 2005 or 2006.  Set up on a tripod before "selfies" this spur of the moment hang out and good conversations and talks about what we were planning in our next stages of life. How appropriate this happened at the Cookeville Train Depot museum.
left to right. Clay Farris, Chris Stapor, Curtis Nunally, Sayota Knight

Nunally started his Navy career in the Navy’s Presidential  Honor guard. That’s where I had the pleasure and honor of first meeting him. We served together there as brothers. Set upon the same two year path. Not knowing what the heck we were about to get into, but excited none the less. Nunelly was an instant big brother to every single sailor he met. His stoic, demeanor and charismatic ambience poured out of him like a shining light in every single room that he entered. He stood by my shoulder and had my back for years. As I was an immature 18 year-old when I first met him, he very quickly taught me so many valuable lessons and how to be a man. He showed me how to be an all-around better person. He taught  me how to change the oil and tires on my car. He taught me how to shave my dang face better. He taught me how to be a better human. To love passionately and fight for the natural world in the most beautiful and powerful ways. He wasn’t just a great man, he was a force to be reckoned with. He was all our big brother. We love you man. See you on the other side brother. HONOR GAURD

Many years ago during a hard time in my life I was invited to join the Nunally family on a trip to the Grand Canyon. I cherish the memories of pancakes, campfires, and a Grateful Dead cover band concert. They welcomed me with open arms at a time I needed it most and I am forever grateful. 🩵

Curtis and Bobby came to selflessly help us after Hurricane Helene upended our lives. 
Mr Rodger’s said “look for the helpers”, and Curtis was often helping someone in need

I only knew Curtiss for a short time.  However, I am grateful for that.  The last time I saw him he had just had his surgery and was out having a wonderful time at dinner with Roxy.  He was very happy and talkative.  Im grateful I got to see him feeling joyful and this is how I will remember him.  May you find peace.  Sending love to all his family and friends.

My deepest condolences to all who loved Curtiss and I pray for your comfort and peace as you navigate your life without a husband, father, son, brother and friend.  

Although it's probably been 30 years since I last saw Curtiss, I could still see that precious young man in the photos you shared of him. My favorite memory of my time with him was a camping/ rafting trip with Rena, Ramie and Paul. Such cherished memories and fun times for sure.
 
You're in my thoughts and prayers and may you find solace in all the many beautiful memories you made together.

Rena and family,
I was certainly saddened to hear of Curtiss' passing... you must be heartbroken. I pray that God will bring peace and comfort to your spirit.  Sending love and hugs, and prayers for his wife and children too,

Sandy Sauceman

OBITUARY

Rupert Curtiss Nunally II

August 27, 1977 – October 25, 2025

Crist Mortuary & Cremation and Mountain View Memorial Park

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