Bernice H. Curry
1921-2013

Bernice H. Curry, 92, St. Joseph, Missouri died Monday, July 8, 2013 at LaVerna Village in Savannah, Missouri.
Bernice was born April 23, 1921, in Topeka, Kansas, to Clara and Edwin Hughes.
She grew up in the Topeka area and eventually moved to Eskridge, Kansas, where she attended high school and met her future husband, the late Rev. J. Wilbur Curry. Bernice received her degree at Sterling College, Sterling, Kansas. Before and during this time, Bernice had begun her teaching career in the Topeka area, ranging from a one-room schoolhouse to regular-sized classes. She later went on to receive her Master’s Degree in Education from Northwest Missouri State University in Maryville, Missouri.
Bernice and Will Curry were married in Emporia, Kansas, in 1943. After they were married, they moved to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where her husband attended seminary.
They lived in Manhattan, Kansas for six years then moved to St. Joseph in 1954, where Rev. Curry was pastor of the Brookdale United Presbyterian Church for 33 years. During this time Bernice was a full-time mother, pastor’s wife, and school teacher. Bernice taught at Spring Garden Middle School for over twenty-five years and attended every church event she could.
Bernice adored her grandchildren and she and Will spent countless hours with them until Will’s death in 1989. She loved to travel and spent quality time with her three children and their families.
At this point, Bernice poured her heart and soul into volunteering for her church and community. For years Bernice organized Brookdale’s participation at the Open Door Food Kitchen. She went to Calvin Center weekly and helped with the packing of Meals on Wheels. She helped students one-on-one with their reading at the Mark Twain School. Bernice spent hours at Rolling Hills Regional Library checking in books and materials. She worked with InterServ and the RSVP Program, assisting the elderly with their income tax preparations. She found delight in putting others ahead of herself.
In 2012 Bernice was a nominee for Volunteers of Distinction, where she was honored at a banquet at the St. Joseph Civic Center. Throughout the years Bernice received many awards for her community service.
Bernice had been living at Corby Place for the past year and a half and enjoyed the kindness of the staff and its residents.
Survivors: her three children, Jim Curry (Kay), Waco, Texas, Bill Curry (Judy), Savannah, Missouri, Joyce Curry Finlay (Doug), Naples, Florida; five grandchildren, Brett Curry, Statesboro, Georgia, Craig Curry (Kate), Charlotte, North Carolina, Dan Curry, St. Joseph, Missouri, Doug Curry (Heather), St. Louis, Missouri, and Mary and Ryan Dickerson, Baton Rouge, Louisiana; and great-grandchildren, Cameron and Kendall Curry, St. Louis, Missouri, and David, Luke, and Mary Claire Dickerson, Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
Services: 1:00 P.M. Saturday, Brookdale Presbyterian Church. Interment Memorial Park Cemetery. The family will receive friends 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. Friday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. For those wishing to make a memorial gift, the family requests they be made to Brookdale Presbyterian Church or Hands of Hope Hospice. Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com.