George Kelly Curtis (a.k.a. "Beadie") died on July 15, 2010 while at the United Medical Center in Washington, DC following a lengthy illness. He was 79 years old. George was born October 29, 1930 in Maddox, Maryland to Nellie Gertrude (Curtis) Neale and Clarence Thomas Neale, Sr.

He attended the St. Mary's County Public School System.

He married Ethel Lou Pressley and from that union there were four children, Toney Curtis, Ronald Curtis, Yvonne Curtis, and Yvette Curtis.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Ethel Lou, both of his sons, both of his parents, four brothers John Francis Neale, Clarence Thomas Neale (Bookie), William Henry Neale (Willie), and Lawrence DeSales Neale and his sister, Mary Ruth Neale Somerville.

George loved the country life as a young child and would do anything for his family. His loving nature, kind heart, and willingness to help others were just some of the reasons George was loved by so many. When George was 16, he accepted his first position at Cedar Point (now known as Patuxent River) as a cook. He later went to Washington, DC and became a baker and cake tester until he decided to join the United States Army in 1951. George entered the United States Army in Ft. Meade, MD and was later assigned to the 179th Infantry during active combat in the Korean War and received the following medals: Korean Service Medal with 2 bronze stars, United Nations Service Medal, Combat Infantry Badge, and the National Defense Service Medal. While enlisted in the United States Army, George proudly obtained the rank of Sergeant on July 27, 1953. George received an honorable discharge from active duty but decided to continue service to the country in the United States Army Reserve for 8 years. In 1953, George accepted employment with the Montgomery County School System at Somerset Elementary School as a Custodian. He retired in 1994 after 41 years of service! At the retirement ceremony, he received several certificates and commendations.

George leaves to mourn his two daughters, Yvonne Curtis and Yvette Curtis (both of Washington, DC), two grandchildren, Tameka Brown and Michelle Curtis, and six great grandchildren. He also leaves his aunt Frances (Curtis) Neale of Baltimore, MD, one uncle, William Neale of Baltimore, MD, one brother, Christopher Columbus Neale (Norma), three sisters, Gertrude Veronica Carter, Helen Elizabeth Hebb (William), and Theresa Delores Collins (James). Pallbearers will be Charles Carter, Robert Carter, Roy Chesley, Walter Jones, Jr. (CJ), Windell Price (Benny) and George Somerville. Honorary Pallbearers will include Karen Absher, Kimberly Barney, Tanya Butler, James Collins, William Hebb, Debra Kahavkin, Renee Price, Sotanya Rushing, Yvostay Rushing, Nikcole Russell and Barbara Somerville.

The family will receive friends on Monday, July 26th, 2010 from 10:00 A.M. to 11:00 A.M. in the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home in Leonardtown, Maryland where services will begin at 11:00 a.m. with Minister Harold Bowman officiating. Interment will follow at 1:00P.M, in Maryland's Veteran's Cemetery Cheltenham located in Cheltenham, Maryland.

Arrangements provided by Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home