Herman Ray Curtis, age 86 of Forest City went to be with the Lord on Friday, June 6, 2025, at Hospice House in Forest City.  Ray was born on September 2, 1938, in Rutherford County and was a son of the late John Bruce Curtis and Dovie Dixon Curtis. 

Ray graduated from Cool Springs High School in the class of 1956.  He worked at Stonecutter Mills for 42 years from the age of 18 until the day it was closed with him shutting down the last loom. 

Ray was devoted to the Lord and a member of Mt. Vernon Baptist Church, where he taught Sunday school for many years.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his infant daughter Rose Dale Curtis, his son, Ricky Curtis, as well as six brothers and three sisters.

He was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather.  He is survived by his loving wife of 41 years, Marlene Nichols Curtis, his sons, Jimmy Curtis (Debra), Larry Curtis (Lisa), and Randy Curtis (Kathy), all of Forest City, his daughters, Luann Curtis Talbert (Robert) of Spindale, and Cindy Curtis Toms of Rutherfordton.  There are also two step-sons, Jimmy Goodwin (Myra) of Ellenboro, and Doug Goodwin (Susan) of Forest City, one step-daughter, Charlene Goodwin Crook (Terry) of Gastonia, and his brother, Edgar Curtis of Ellenboro.  He was also loved by 23 grandchildren, 26 great-grandchildren, and one great-great grandson.

A graveside memorial service will be held at 11 o’clock on Wednesday, June 11, 2025, in the Mt. Vernon Baptist Church Cemetery where Mr. Shane Earley will deliver a eulogy. 

Memorials may be made to Hospice of The Carolina Foothills, Post Office box 336, Forest City, North Carolina 28043 or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, Tennessee 38150 or stjude.org 

The Padgett and King Mortuary & Crematory is in charge of arrangements and an online guest registry is available at www.padgettking.com