Raising a voice for Lydia Curtis

(EDITOR’S NOTE: The Curtis family has finalized arrangements for Lydia Bryant Curtis. Visitation and funeral services will be held Saturday, March 16, at Victory Church, 5708 Airline Drive in Metairie, where she sang on numerous occasions for John Curtis graduation services. Visitation will be from 2-4 p.m. with a service following at 4 p.m. In lieu of flowers, those who wish to donate can do so by sending a love gift to John Curtis Christian School in memory of Lydia at 10125 Jefferson Highway, River Ridge, LA 70123. Online condolences may be offered through Garden of Memories.)

The faces, the sounds and the sights are familiar, still fixed in my mind’s eye.

John Thomas Curtis Sr. occupied a space, a place on the sideline at John Curtis Christian football games and would have a perpetual game face on. Some, including opponents, would call it a growl.

That competitive nature was clear.

Mr. Curtis wanted his teams to win and wanted to win in life.

He founded John Curtis Christian School in 1962, where he spent the preponderance of his weekday time.

Coliseum Place Baptist Church was the weekend home for Curtis, where he pastored the uptown church for over three decades.

In 2005, on Memorial Day, we lost Mr. Curtis at the age of 86. It was a life well lived as a faithful servant and his outstanding legacy lives on.

On August 31 of that year, Hurricane Katrina damaged the church.

In 2006, the church burned down and John T. Curtis Jr., who had taken over for his father at both the school and church, moved services to the John Curtis Christian School high school campus.

In 2020, we lost Merle Phae Manguno Curtis, the wife of Curtis Sr., who was the strong support system for him and the family and taught at the school for years, at the age of 92.

My wife, Denise and I, will make sure we show our respect, appreciation and admiration for the Curtis ministry at Coliseum Baptist Church and the family by attending a service, at least once annually.

Having done so just a few weeks ago, we enjoyed listening to a typically good message from J.T. Curtis.

We observed Lydia Curtis, for whom we had been praying regularly.

The sight of a vibrant person stricken with a difficult physical condition was sobering.

We have been in prayer for her for several months now.

Lydia was the strong support system for J.T. as his loving wife.

The sight of Lydia at a football game, singing the national anthem with the strains of the Colonial Regiment band in the background, is still there.

The frequent occasion of greeting her and her greeting us is clear.

The passion for her husband, her children, grandchildren, school and church were clear.

Lydia was opinionated and possessed conviction that we all strive to possess. My lifelong friend, Ed Daniels, heard and witnessed many of those opinions prior to and during the Friday Night Football show on WGNO and WNOL. He would laugh when conveying those to me. It was a labor of love.

We have our Life Resources ministry luncheon Wednesday at Piccadilly Cafeteria in Metairie at noon with Vicky Bayley speaking where all are welcome.

There is always prayer to close the meeting, following prayer requests. J.T. Curtis has spoken at the ministry luncheon once annually for many years now, always faithful and eager to share a Gospel message.

That prayer will include the sympathetic ode to a wonderful woman and family but it will also include the rejoicing of a spirit in eternity, where we all hope and desire to be, trusting in belief through our faith and the love of the Lord.

Lydia loved and trusted the Lord and the premise of Proverbs 3:5-6 to “trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways, acknowledge Him and He will direct your path.”

Lydia trusted in the Lord.

Lydia is now with the Lord, having passed away this morning. She was 75, just 12 days short of her 76th birthday.

We may not understand the suffering on this earth and why things happen as they do. We will all depart this earth.

We trust that there is a purpose until Heaven.

Growing up, I was gifted with a chain which included the words “faith, hope, love.” I wore it throughout my adolescence and young adulthood. It was a daily reminder which resonated with me in times of trouble and despair.

Lydia embraced all three tenets.

Her faith was evident.

Her hope was in eternity.

Her love for her family and her Lord was excellent.

Thanks to Lydia for all she has done, all she has accomplished.

Here is believing, trusting that the word of Matthew 25:21.

“Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things.”

Lydia is lifting her voice to the Lord in song, as she did on the earth. The Colonial Regiment of angelic tones are accompanying those peaceful, inspirational sounds. Today, we raise our voices in prayer, in thanks and celebration for Lydia.

May the Lord truly bless and comfort J.T. and the entire Curtis family.