Laura Laverne Pollard-Curtis' Obituary
Laura Laverne Pollard-Curtis, “Laverne”, “Shoestring”, “Momma”, “Moms”, “GiGi”, “Granny”, “Gannie”, “Grandma Laura” was born April 21, 1948, in Orange, Texas to Ruby Lee Pollard and Kato Hawthorne. Laura was the eldest of seven children born to Ruby Lee and was lovingly delivered by her grandmother ‘Big Mama”, Jennie V. Pollard who by her hands delivered and blessed each of her grandchildren.
Laura was small in size and stature, but her tenacity, grit, and take-charge demeanor easily solidified her posture as someone not to be messed with. She took what her grandmother said to heart, “When you are in a fight, you don’t have to always be on top to win”. She took this advice to heart and presented herself as a winner in any show up opportunity. Her mantra, which she rehearsed in the ears of her children was her life’s stance, “Be smart, be sharp, be strong, because you already are”.
In her educational formative years, she attended Emma Wallace High School a historical all black school in Orange, but then in her 11th year she moved to M.B. North High School and would be a member of the first graduating class in 1965. Her educational exploits would continue when she was accepted into Wiley College in Marshall, Texas, a Historical Black College (H.B.C.U.) It was at Wiley in 1967 that she pledged and enjoined the sisterhood of Zeta Phi Beta Inc., where she even the more exhibited her love of music, piano, singing, dancing, and choreographed routines of the Zeta’s. Laura was also a member of the Tri-City Club which was comprised of residents from her hometown of “Sweet” Orange, TX in addition to students from Beaumont, TX and Port Arthur, TX. In the fall of 1969, she would graduate from Wiley with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration.
Laura was a trailblazer even in the1970’s when racism was yet prevalent. She formed her company Excellence Incorporated to be able to provide clerical and personnel services on her terms. While she was employed by the Girls Clubs of Memphis, INC. she would meet and marry her life partner of 43 years, Ricardo Lee Curtis. Ricardo would not only marry Laura, but he would become the loving father of Laura’s two girls, Tonya & Tracy. Their love would continue to grow and produce a son in 1975 who would find rest in Jesus prior to his birth, and then the birth of their baby boy, Ricardo Lee Curtis II in 1977. Laura’s husband career would lead them to San Antonio, TX and then to San Bernardino, California. Upon Ricky’s honorable discharge, they would return together to Laura’s birthplace, Orange, TX. Upon returning to Orange, her savvy and smarts led her to write a proposal for the need of administrative services for a large shipping company, USS Steel Fabrication which she would be hired as the Head Personnel Clerk which allowed her to open doors of employment for many minorities in the area.
Her husband’s career would again call, and lead them to Fort Worth, TX where her love of service-oriented work would allow for an enduring career with the Women’s Center of Tarrant County where she served faithfully as a Lead Training and Placement Specialist. Due to the nature of Ricky’s career in Federal Corrections, the call again would come and move them to Alabama and then to California. In California she was never unable to find her niche, she would become the Football mom that every child desires and deserves. Her participation in Rico’s activities, and her southern cooking skills would be called on to serve the many football players and coaches over the years of her Rico’s football career. Her love of family, serving soulful meals, and football (especially the Dallas Cowboys) would create a perfect mix in hills and valleys of San Diego, California.
In the years leading up 2004 the Lord began to speak to Laura that her return to Texas would be immanent. At the time she did not know why, but she recognized the leading of God, and that she needed to make haste to get back to the Dallas Fort Worth Area quickly. As she would soon discover, it was indeed God’s plan that she and Ricky return to Texas as they would soon be called upon to care for and eventually adopt their great- granddaughter Caeya, due to their granddaughter Laurisha’s, transition to heaven. Mansfield, Texas would be where they made new friend’s and their home, until the Lord issued his final call to bring them both home eternally.
On Wednesday, January 05, 2022, she quietly entered eternal rest from the comfort of her home that her husband had lovingly provided for her. Although her body had experienced trial, her spirit was strong. Laura always believed that God would work in her life according to His will, and it was by God’s sweet grace that he ushered her home. It is this belief that we share concerning Laura, “Our Lil Mama”, that it is her testimony of God that, “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” Revelation 21:4 ESV
Preceding her in death, Ricardo Lee Curtis (Beloved Husband), Tonya Pollard-English (Beloved Daughter), Kato Hawthorne (Father), Ruby Lee Francis (Beloved Mother), Carl W. Pollard (Brother), Don C. Pollard (Brother), Laurisha LeeAnn Pollard (Grand-daughter), & Russell Laurance Pollard (Grand-son).
She leaves to cherish his memory, Tracy Pollard-Hill (Daughter)-Bobby, Ricardo Lee Curtis II. (Son) -Rebecca, Caeya Laurance Pollard Terrell (Daughter) Taylor Odracir Marie DeLarue Pollard (Grand-Daughter), Orbrey Amelia Hill (Grand-Daughter), Osburn Eugene Hill (Grandson), Johnathon T. Pollard (Grandson), Michael D. Hill (Grandson), Gabriel D. Hill (Grandson), KayLee D. Hill (Grand-
Daughter) Madison Denise Hill (Great Granddaughter), Everic Neil Carroll (Great Grandson), Errington Lee Carroll (Great Grandson), Emery LeeAnn Carroll (Great Grand-Daughter), Carter Javione Miner (Great Grandson), Johnnie R. Francis (Brother) – Nedra, Kenneth R. Francis (Brother) – Monica, Michael B. Ballard (Brother) – Felicia, Sharon K. Francis (Sister), Anna Gilcrest (Sister in love), Martha Butler (Sister in love), Angela S. Pollard (Sister in love), Lynetta Mabry (Friend/Sister for Life), Brenda Gilmore (Friend/Sister for Life), and a host of nieces, nephews, beloved cousins, and friends.
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