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Obituary For Margaret W. Curtis, Ph.D.
Dr. Margaret W. Curtis, 75, of Greensboro, NC formerly of Tyaskin, MD departed this life on Monday, January 24, 2022, at home surrounded by her loving family members and in prayer with her pastor. Born in Philadelphia on April 9, 1946, to the late Marian B. Williams, Theodore Wright and raised by Alexander Williams.
Margaret was a lifelong student and educator. She attended Wicomico County public schools and graduated from Salisbury High School where she served as senior class president. She attended Howard University where she earned bachelor and graduate degrees before earning her Doctorate in genetics in 1976. During her distinguished academic career, she started out as a secondary school teacher in Washington DC, teaching at Coolidge, McKinley and Academy of Notre Dame High schools before moving on to teach at universities around the world, including universities in Hohenfels, and Nuremburg, West Germany. She later pursued her love of teaching as a professor at Fitchburg State in Massachusetts, Livingstone College in Salisbury, N.C. and Bennett College in Greensboro. As a college administrator she also served as a professor and Provost at Albion College in Albion, Michigan and Dean of Students at Lawrence University in Appleton, Wisconsin. She worked closely with the National Science Foundation (NSF) as both an evaluator of college programs promoting STEM programs for minorities and the initiator of the NSF funded Minority Access to Research Careers Program and Biomedical Research Support Program for women in science at Bennett College.
Left to forever cherish her memory are her loving sisters, Patricia Dees, Arlene Collins-Day (William) and Tina Dixon; adoring nephews and nieces, Jessica (Taron), Aaron, Learned (Amina), Michael (Andriel), Almena (Rodney), Lauren (Reier); great and great great nieces and nephews; Asha, Alyse, Marcellus, Chloe, Aaliyah, Jordyn, Noelle, Kalani, Justin, Dune and Darwin; cousins, Jermel (Vinely), Theresa Jefferson; a dear life long companion, Dr. William C. Curtis; close friends, Clifford Curtis, Joan Williams-Thomas, Dorothy Colson; and a host of other cousins, relatives, and friends, whom she loved dearly and who loved her dearly.
A service honoring her life will be held on Saturday, January 29, 2022 at 1:00 PM, at Cassie Coote-Brown Memorial Chapel, 909 East Market Street, Greensboro with a viewing a half hour prior. A second service will be Saturday, February 12, 2022 at 11:00 AM, at Lewis N. Watson Funeral Home, 1618 West Road, Salisbury, MD, with a viewing one hour prior.
All services will be streamed live from the Funeral Home Websites.
Interment will be at Freedman’s Methodist Church Cemetery in Tyaskin, Maryland
Professional services are entrusted to Brown’s Funeral Home and Lewis N. Watson Funeral Home, PA.
In lieu of flowers being sent, please consider directing donations, in her honor, to Bennett College, or St. Francis Episcopal Church in Greensboro.
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To the family of Dr. Curtis. You are in my prayers during this transitional time in the loss of a phenomenal woman. I am prayerful that you find comfort in the cherish memories you can forever hold on to. She will be truly missed. Stephanie G-Taheri
Dear Family, I was saddened to hear of Dr. Curtis' passing. We had worked together in the Science division at Bennett College- her in the Biology Department and me in Mathematics/Computer Science. She encouraged me to present a critical thinking workshop to her science scholars she advised and invited me to attend a professional conference with her. Mentoring was a natural ability for her. Later, I worked with her on a National Science Foundation project for historically black colleges and universities. I gleaned a lot about project management during that three-year period. One thing that I enjoyed was the delicious meals she would prepare and graciously share with me and other colleagues, and even students. May God's love and peace comfort you during this season.
My prayers go out to the family asking for God's peace to keep each of you during this time, and to Tina, your faithfulness has not gone unnoticed by God, you have been an angel for your sister. Rev Mark Thompson
My sincere condolences to the family. May God's peace be with you all at this time.
Dr. Margaret Curtis was a dear friend and mentor. We met in 1998 when I joined the faculty of Bennett College, and discovered that our paths had crossed at Howard University. We had memorable conversations and experiences, working on our shared interests in education. My life was truly enriched by our friendship. Dr. Curtis' contributions to the African American Education & Research Organization have been significant, as this nonprofit has developed over the past 22 years. I am grateful!
Sincere wishes for your comfort, as you move through this period of transition—
Paula Quick Hall
Dr. Curtis was a woman you could never forget. I met her during my employment with Bennett College. She made quite the impression in our very first encounter. She was undoubtedly intelligent, most professional, quick witted and such a spirited person! Most of all, she was down to earth, compassionate and generous. I will certainly miss her on this side. I'm eternally grateful she is in the arms of her Comforter now. We will continue to pray for your family. Lorraine Tutt and Family
My sincere condolences to the family and will keep you all in my prayers. Margaret and I were coworkers at Livingstone College, and since she left the College we continued keeping in touch with each other. There were many good memories remained in my heart. I missed her. However, This is the comfort I have that she is now in a far better place and will continue to live a blessed life in the presence of God. Love, Yen-Wan (Grace) Hung, Salisbury, NC.
My prayers and deepest sympathy are with my dear friend Margaret's family. We were colleagues for over 30 years and had so. many memories. Now it's time for her to rest in eternal peace under God's tender care. Job complete — Margaret —-you have earned an A+!! Everything is in perfect order— All is well!🌹. Love, Bonita Taylor Ewers
I met you through your cousin, my late husband Billy. You two shared a special bond . I will cherish the memories of us spending vacation together , especially the time we want to the mountains. I will truly miss you. Until we meet again in Heaven. Rest In Peace , Brenda Sampson & family
Dr. Curtis reminded so much of my own mother. Both lifelong students. Both PhD's. And both drivers of Volvos. I will miss her smiling face at church on Sundays. She was a blessing. Chris Relos, St. Francis Episcopal Church, Greensboro, NC
Our sincerest condolences on the passing of your dear sister, Dr. Margaret Curtis. She Was A Very Special Woman, And She Will Be Missed By Many. Carnell and I send our love and prayers to the family.🕊🕊🕊
My condolences to the family. I will continue to keep you all in prayer as I know this is a very challenging time. Peace and blessing to all of you. Denise Deleaver
My sincere condolences to the family.
Iratha (Hull) Waters-Dillahunt, Fort Washington, MD
My Sincere condolences to the family.
Iratha Waters Dillahunt
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