FACE COVERINGS ARE STILL REQUIRED TO ENTER THE FUNERAL HOME!!

Funeral service will be 1:00 P.M. on Saturday, March 16, 2024, at Summerville AME Zion Church, Leland, NC.  Burial will follow in the Summerville AMEZ Cemetery.  Visitation is from 5-7:00 P.M. on Friday at Summerville AME Zion Church. On January 1, 1917, the late William Grady and Tamar Ballard Grady welcomed a special New Year's Day gift, a beautiful baby girl, Curlia Mae, in the Navassa community of Brunswick, County, North Carolina.  In the wee morning hours of Monday, March 11, 2024, God called her, and she quietly entered into eternal rest at her home in Leland, North Carolina at the God blessed age of 107 years old.  While there was no formal schooling during her childhood years, Curlia was a woman of much wisdom, a studious learner, and a jewel of knowledge to her community, church, family, and friends.  At a young age, she met and married the love of her life, the late John Franklin Troy, Sr., and they became the proud parents of six children.  She also reared three grandchildren, Sonya, Terrance, and Gregory Lofton.  In addition to being preceded in death by her loving husband of 57 years, she was also preceded in death by four daughters:  Gwendolyn Troy Lofton, Delores Troy Adams, Bernell Troy Knowlin and Marion Troy Levine and one son, John Franklin Troy, Jr.  Curlia also realized her need for a personal relationship with Christ at a young age and became a member of Summerville ANIEZ Church.  She was a faithful and loyal member until her health failed.  Even when she wasn't able to attend, she supported and cared for her church, and kept up with what was going on with her Pastors and Church Family! She had a servant's heart and served well in the Ministry!  She was the Homecoming Chairperson for 25 years, Secretary of the Trustee Board, President of the Women's Home and Overseas Missionary Society, Class Leader #5.  Curlia was a musical prodigy and loved playing the piano.  Her family marveled at how she could play any song by just listening to the words being sung.  She was one of the first African Americans to obtain a two-year certificate in music from the US School of Music.  Her love of music led her to become the director of the Junior Choir in her 30's.  She was the Minister of Music at Summerville for many, many years and in her tenure, she led and directed the Junior, Senior and Men's choirs.  In 2020, she received the Keeper of the Flame Award by the AMEZ Wilmington district.  Curlia's servitude did not end in the church.  She was a great helper to those in her community and would often share her talents with family and friends alike. She served as the PTA President.  She loved cooking, gardening, and tending to the flowers and fruit trees in her yard.  She was a giver and enjoyed sharing her delicious food, cakes, pies and produce with anyone!  She was employed at Lincoln Primary School in the Cafeteria for 14 years.  Being an amazing help to her loving husband, John, the two became entrepreneurs!  For years, they grew and sold fresh vegetables, fruits and peanuts at the Wilmington City Market and were able to make a great livelihood.  She loved God and her family.  Spending time with family was one of her greatest joys!  She was the epitome of a virtuous woman and led her family by examples and precepts.  Even when her health failed, she frequently reminded them in conversation about the goodness God and gave Him all the glory in everything she did and said.  The unconditional love she had for her family was beyond compare.  Curlia leaves to lovingly cherish her memory:  one son, John Leander Troy (Tamathea) of the home; two sons-in-law: Johnnie Lee Adams and Clarence Lofton; one sister-in-law, Pearl Grady; seventeen grandchildren; forty great grandchildren; forty-six great-great grandchildren; eighteen great-great-great grandchildren, two nieces and one nephew.  She was preceded in death by one sister, Janie Grady Kelly and two brothers: Johnny William Grady and Walter Grady.  In addition, she is lovingly remembered by a host of other nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives, and special friends. Curlia will be greatly missed, but forever remembered for her loving smile, beautiful and kind spirit, her commitment and service to her community and church, and her love for God and her family.