James Franklin Curlee

January 1, 1958 - November 28, 2015

James Franklin Curlee, son of Elizabeth and the late John M. Curlee, Jr., died November 28, 2015, at the Magnolia Regional Health Center in Corinth. He was born January 1, 1958 in Memphis, Tennessee. The youngest of three sons, and the child of a school teacher and school administrator, he lived in Ripley, Marks, and Aberdeen where he lived the greatest part of his life. Frank graduated from Aberdeen High School in 1976, the bicentennial year. He was involved in sports, winning trophies in tennis and football, school plays, and clubs. He was a member of the school yearbook and newspaper staffs, serving as editorial editor of the Aberdeen Highlanders. Upon high school graduation he was privileged to visit eight European countries, accompanied by a dozen or so high school friends and his Spanish teacher. He was a member of the Aberdeen First Baptist Church from age eight where he participated in many church activities, including choir and mission trips. Frank loved to work. He mowed years and at age 13 began working for Mr. George Myers who owned what would be called a Truck Stop today. Through his high school and college years, he continued helping “Mr. George” and, in fact, he had been visiting him the day of his tragic accident. During college years, he worked summers for Walker Manufacturing Plant, Kerr-McGee Corporation, and as a research assistant for attorney Bob Patterson. Following high school graduation, Frank attended Northeast Mississippi Community College. There he was named to Who’s Who in American Community Colleges. He excelled in public speaking and was entered in extemporaneous public speaking contests with other community colleges. It was there, too that he joined ROTC. He continued his education at Ole Miss, earning a degree in Business Administration. As a member of the Sigma Nu Fraternity he served as a houseboy for the Phi Mu Sorority. He was active in college politics, and continued his training in ROTC. He lived a busy and fruitful college life. Then during spring break, on March 17, 1982, he suffered a traumatic brain injury in an accident in a local Aberdeen neighborhood. Since that time, he has been at home with compassionate caregivers. Services will be held at 2 p.m., Tuesday, December 1, 2015 at First Baptist Church in Booneville with Dr. Lynn Jones officiating. Burial will be in the Booneville Cemetery. Booneville Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Frank is survived by his mother, Mrs. Elizabeth Curlee, his brother John McFerrin Curlee, III, and his wife Martha Louise, his brother Michael Curlee, and his wife Debra, two nephews, John McFerrin Curlee IV and Russell Michael Curlee, and niece Elizabeth Curlee Russell, and three great nephews, Walker and Lewis Russell and Miles Curlee, and aunts Mary Beal and Iris Easterling, and numerous extended family. He was preceded in death by his father John Curlee, Jr., and his grandparents Mr. and Mrs. John Curlee Sr. of Booneville, and Mr. and Mrs. Nolen Michael of Rienzi, his uncle Forrest Michael, and his aunt Gwen Michael Cleghorn. Pallbearers will be John McFerrin Curlee, III, John McFerrin Curlee, IV, Rocky Kelly, Dan Holliday, Edward Mattox, Bryan Menetre, Marty Tucker, and Tommy Shepherd. Honorary pallbearers will be Gerry Gibbs, Dwight McComb, Tommy Pierce, and James Stanley Long. Visitation will be Tuesday, December 1, 2015 from 12 p.m. ‘til 2 p.m. at the church.