Joseph Walter Curtis Jr., age 92, was born on July 2, 1932 to Joseph Walter Curtis and Florence Bishop Curtis on a farm in Caldwell County, NC.

Raised in the Globe Valley, he farmed the family land at a young age. He drove a team of horses and plowed at the age of 6 years. At age 10, he accepted the Lord Jesus Christ and was baptized at the Globe Baptist Church. For the rest of his life, he remained committed to the Lord and service of his churches. He attended Collettesville School and worked hard on the family farm.

In his youth, he developed proficiency at farming, hunting, fishing, mechanics, carpentry, masonry, and sawmill logging. He was particularly skilled at designing and building things.

At age 19, he married Edith Church Kirby Curtis, and Joe became a father to 9 years old son, Gwen Kirby. They worked hard and built a good life together on the farm. Joe and Edith had four more babies (Harold, Steve, Shiela, and Dale Curtis).

In 1962 he moved his young family to Jacksonville, Florida in search of a better life. He got a job at CSX's (Jacksonville Train Terminal) as an Industrial Carpenter. He worked at the terminal (Prime Osborne Convention Center) for 32 years and finally honed his carpentry skills.

In addition to his railroad job, Joe established a business (Curtis Enterprises) and took on many contract jobs for services such as tree surgery, land clearing, masonry, painting, remodeling, backhoe and crane work, and finish cabinetry.

They had a good life in Jax, raised four children successfully there. Joe was very committed to Jacksonville churches supporting and leading. He became an ordained Deacon at Belfort Road Baptist. He served the Lord faithfully and was a living testimony of his love for his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

After retirement, he and Edith returned to their first home on the farm in the Globe. He built a beautiful home for Edith there and they had many happy seasons and years together. Edith went home to be with the Lord in 2010.

For three years, Joe lived alone on the farm and continued to serve the Globe Baptist Church after praying for a suitable companion who would challenge him to be a better man. Minnie Westberry, a friend from Jacksonville, came up to visit Joe. Their friendship grew stronger and grew into a loving partnership. They married in Jacksonville in 2013 and had almost 11 happy years together.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Joseph Walter and Florence Bishop Curtis; sister, Ruby Curtis Scott; wife, Edith Church Kirby Curtis; sons, Joseph Harold, Walter Steven, and William Dale; step-son, Gwen Lee Kirby; and grandsons, Tommy Koller and Jimmy Curtis.

Survivors include daughter, Shiela Curtis Koller (Raymond); wife, Minnie Westberry Curtis; grandchildren, Scott Kirby, Carla Koller, Curtis Koller, Joshua Sexton, Baptessa Cox, Micki McPherson, Jimmy Curtis, Jeff Kirby, Daniel Curtis, and Tera Curtis; 11 great grandchildren; and 2 great great grandchildren.

Greer-McElveen Funeral Home is managing arrangements.

Online condolences may be left at www.greer-mcelveenfuneralhome.com

Flowers may be sent to Greer-McElveen Funeral Home at 725 Wilkesboro Blvd NE, Lenoir, NC 28645.

Monetary donations may be made to Green Valley Baptist Church at 3172 Old John's River Rd, Collesttsville, NC 28611.