Mary Patricia Curtis

Mary Patricia Burg Curtis journeyed home to our Lord on November 3, 2019. She had been a resident of Columbus and a communicant of Annunciation Catholic Church since 1977. Friends may visit her family on Wednesday November 6, 2019, from 5:00-7:00 PM in the Annunciation Catholic Church Atrium. A second visitation will be held Thursday morning from 10:00-11:00 AM, followed by a Mass of the Resurrection, offered by Father Jeffery Waldrep, Celebrant, at 11:00 AM. Maripat’s final resting place will be Friendship Cemetery. Memorial Gunter Peel Funeral Home & Crematory, Second Avenue North location, has been entrusted with the arrangements.

Maripat was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on April 29, 1938, to George and Marinell Christiansen Burg. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, James Michael Curtis Sr.; brother, Anthony Burg; and her mother and father. Maripat is survived by her four children, Ann Marie Johnson (Gary) of Starkville, MS, Lora Elizabeth Crowe (Ricky) of Peachtree City, GA, Julie Michelle Folse (Michael) of Warner Robins, GA, and James Michael Curtis Jr. (Cherah) of Bolivar, MO; and her siblings, Judiann Sreniawski (Jerry) of Klamath Falls, OR, Christine Smith (Kent) of Cleveland Heights, OH, and Wayne Schmidt (Debbie) of Dallas, TX; and sisters-in law, Darlene Adcock (David) of Stephenville, TX, Melba Connor of Lufkin, TX, and Judi Burg of Florence OR. In addition, Maripat was the very proud grandmother to Joshua and Sarah Johnson, Rachel and Emma Crowe, Mary and Madeline Folse, Jesus Cortes and Gabriel, Elyan and Mirah Curtis.

Dr. Curtis was a graduate of Marquette University, Mississippi University for Women, and received her doctorate at Mississippi State University. She devoted her professional career to nursing, counseling, education, and access to healthcare. Her contributions and leadership span 52 years. Dr. Curtis was the Director of the Graduate Nursing Program and associated with MUW for 27 years. She was the first Nurse Practitioner to practice in Lowndes County. Dr. Curtis was very active in the political arena, having contributed to the writing of bills and being an expert witness at Senate hearings for health care in MS. She was also very active in the Mississippi Nurses Association at the National, Regional, and Local levels. She served as Chair of the Research Advisor Panel of the National Council State Boards of Nursing for 9 years. Dr. Curtis was appointed to the Board of Nursing by the governor and approved by the Senate for 2 terms (8 years). During this time, she served as President of the Board. Dr. Curtis has been recognized by multiple professional and school organizations for her leadership and for paving the way for theAdvanced Practice role. Among her awards and recognitions, the 3 most precious to her were the Marquette University’s Alumni Merit Award for contributions to health care, Induction into the Mississippi’s Nursing Hall of Fame, and Induction into the MUW Hall of Fame.

After Maripat’s retirement in 2004, she devoted her energies to St. Vincent de Paul, a community outreach program which provides services, regardless of religious affiliation to the poor, elderly, sick, and needy. She served as the president of this organization for 3 years. She also facilitated adult bible classes and maintained her interest in the antique business. Maripat will beremembered as a loving wife, mother and grandmother, a great nurse, and a tireless and successful worker for health care improvement. During her lifetime, she maintained her sense of humor and was always available for a good laugh or advice over a cup of coffee.

Pallbearers will include Wayne Schmidt, Gary Johnson, Ricky Crowe, Michael Folse, Joshua Johnson, and Mark Mckellar. Honorary pallbearers include the members of the St. Vincent de Paul Society, Jerry Sreniawski, David Adcock, Kent Smith, Tom Griffin, (Tony Burg and Dale Connor).

The family requests memorials to be made either to St. Vincent de Paul, 823 College St., Columbus, MS 39701 or to The Dr. Maripat Curtis Sigma Theta Tau scholarship Zeta Rho Chapter. Donations to be made in care of Dr. Maria Scott MUW Box 910, Columbus, MS 39701.