Our Inspiration

This Opelika native was a husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and father-figure to many in the neighborhood. He was married to the former Minnie Kate Askew for 55 years before she passed away. To this union five daughters were born: Katie Barbara Curtis Moody, Clara Dealano Curtis Haynes, Margaret Joetta Curits Jackson, Mildred Loretta Curtis Gray, and Juanita Curtis. He helped raise ten grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren.

Mr. Curtis had no sons of his own, so the Curtis family has gone an entire generation without a patriarch, which unfortunately became common for many families. Whether the male absence was caused by lack of male births, poor life choices or the elected absence of men due to the enormous responsibilities, the wait for the return of a male presence like Lottie B. Curtis presence is coming to an end. The Curtis House is a place for men who are ready to give themselves back to their children, families, and the community.

Mr. Lottie B. Curtis was a member of the Greater Peace Baptist Church. His church roles consisted of deacon, singing in the Male Choir, Missionary Society, and Church Sexton. In addition, Mr. Curtis would also assist the church by serving as a driver to help transport Rev. N. H. Carr (former pastor of Greater Peace) to and from speaking engagements when needed.

Prior to becoming a community farmer, he served in the United States Navy and was a World War II Veteran. Mr. Lottie B. Curtis was a member of the Jeter Street now Jeter Avenue community. He served his community by growing and sharing the many vegetables and fruit that he raised in his backyard garden and farm on the Taylor and Frederick land in rural Opelika.

Mr. Lottie B. Curtis produced homegrown vegetables such as collards, cabbage, turnips, peas, beans, squash, corn, tomatoes, okra, cucumbers, peppers, and sweet potatoes. His orchard included apple trees, pear trees, plum trees, pecan trees, fig vines, scuba dines, crab apples, and sugar cane. Mr. Curtis also produced watermelon (red and yellow meat). Many of the products were canned and preserved and all were shared with the members of his community.

Mr. Lottie B. Curtis also served the community by teaching many to drive and obtain driver’s license, transporting those in the community to jobs, shopping malls and other places around town as well as out of town. Mr. Curtis was a neighborhood watchman. He cared about his family and others in the community. Mr. Curtis loved serving and helping others.