Barbara Jean Curtis

Barbara Jean Fagan was born to Edgar and Alma Fagan on March 16, 1932. She was a high school athlete who excelled in basketball and was nicknamed �"Fearless Fagan”. She attended Tennessee State University in Nashville, Tennessee. She completed her undergraduate studies in dental hygiene at Meharry Medical College. In her early career, she worked on a Native American reservation in North Dakota. Her commitment to serve others led her to pursue a Master of Science in Behavioral Health at Roosevelt University in Chicago, Illinois. She put that knowledge to practice throughout her career to provide dental care for the underserved and mentally challenged.

Barbara Fagan became Barbara Fagan Curtis when she married James Edward Curtis. James and Barbara shared 58 years together initially establishing a home in Chicago, Illinois later moving to Momence, Illinois and finally to Indianapolis, Indiana. Regardless of the location, Barbara was committed to public service. She was involved in numerous organizations including the NAACP, NCNW, the Kankakee YMCA Board, UNICEF and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

She was initiated in Lambda Chapter on June 30, 1964 and was proud member of the Chicago Alumnae Chapter. These were her beloved chapter affiliations for fifty years. Barbara served Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. at the local, regional and national levels. She was elected and served as the Director of the Midwest Region from 1972-1976. At the national level she worked with initiatives and programs including the Delta Research and Educational Foundation (DREF). She served on the National Executive Board as Chair of the National Membership Services Committee and created the Membership Services Room as a respite for members at conferences and conventions. Her creativity and ability to innovate were evident in the pins, bags, clothing and activities she designed for members, not only for Membership Services but also for other sorority initiatives. She was an avid fundraiser for DREF, the campaign to burn the mortgage on the sorority’s headquarters building and the celebration of the sorority’s Diamond Jubilee anniversary.

Barbara was mother to three children, William Thompkins (Lorre), Dr. Jamyce Curtis Banks (Carlos) and Lisa Marion Curtis. She is survived by her loving husband James, her sister Carolyn Hardin and brother Earl Fagan, her three children William, Jamyce and Lisa, her five grandchildren Cherie Ramage (Barry), Yvonne Williams (Dewan), James Thompkins, Carlos Banks II and Curtis Banks, and her nine great grandchildren, Shawn Williams, Bryce Williams, Dewan Williams, Loryn Ramage, Barry Ramage, Devon Williams, Larry Williams, William Thompkins and Mya Thompkins as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Barbara also leaves behind countless sorors and many true friends.