Nathan Stephenson “Nate”Curtis II, age 85, of Madison, Fla., died June 9, 2021.
Nate was born April 13, 1936, in Monticello, Fla., the son of Arthur Wilson Curtis and Martha Scruggs Curtis Laffitte.
He graduated from Jefferson County High School in 1954 and was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1954, where he served 20 months in the Medical Corps during the occupation of Germany. While enlisted, he was able to travel extensively through Europe.
Nate had multiple degrees including a B.A. degree in history and a minor in Education from St. Bernard College, Cullman, Ala., in 1961. He attended The University of the South School of Theology in Sewannee, Tenn. He received a Masters degree in Social Work from Valdosta State College and completed the Master Gardener course from the University of Florida.
Nate wore many hats during his life; as a construction worker, inspector for the racing commission, hospital orderly, service station attendant and manager at his father’s gas station, truck driver and nursery laborer and photo-darkroom assistant. Hired as a sixth grade teacher in La Belle, Fla. was his first job. Trying to move closer home, he moved to Mcclenny, Fla., as a seventh grade social studies teacher. From 1964-67, he worked for the Florida Department of Public Welfare as a social worker. He was employed with Florida Probation and Parole, three district supervisor (Madison, Jefferson and Taylor counties) for Health & Rehabilitative Services for 30 years. Once retired, he worked as a Hospice case worker, and Administrator to Lake Park Nursing Home and a counselor for Apalachee Mental Health.
Religion and family played a very important part in his life and personal development. He cherished his family and on July 4, 1964, Nate married the love of his life, Betty “BJ” Curtis having a special partnership for more than 56 years. He was a member of St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, in Madison and served many terms as Senior Warden, Lay Reader and guide/assisted his son, Nathan to enlarge the St. Mary’s Episcopal Church fellowship hall for Nathan’s Eagle Scout project. He also served his community as a member and past president of the Madison County Kiwanis Club.
Besides his family and public service, he had an amazing green thumb when it came to gardening (especially roses), and enjoyed oil painting, woodworking, photography and traveling.
Nate is survived by his wife, Betty June Roberts Curtis; his brother, Arthur Curtis; his children: his daughter, Morgan “Martye” Curtis; sons, Nathan S. Curtis III (Shannon); Frank “Rusty” Lamb, Leslie Mauck (Jim) and George William Lamb (Bonnie); and the proud grandfather, “Grand Nate” to Savannah, Sydney, Sadie Curtis and Christian Mauck; and his brother-in-law, George “Buddy” Roberts (Alyson).
A Celebration of Life Service will be held at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church’s Memorial Garden at 10 a.m. on Saturday, June 26, 2021. Internment services will follow immediately afterward at Roseland Cemetery, in Monticello.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, in Madison or Big Bend Hospice of Madison. All arrangements are under the direction of Beggs Funeral Home of Madison.