Willie Currie

Obituary For Willie Currie

Willie Glen Currie was born on July 22, 1931, in Rowland, North Carolina to the late Glen Taylor and Laura Lee Currie Thompson. He was the oldest of all his siblings. God called him from labor to reward early Saturday morning, October 10, 2020.

He attended schools in the Robeson County School System. One of his fondest memories of his early school days was riding the school bus with his sisters, Vauline and Catherine.

On October 25, 1953, he married his high school sweetheart, Helen M. Gillespie, and to this union two daughters were born, Glenda Marie and Linda Faye.

In 1957 Willie rode to Greensboro with a cousin and got a job with the Pep Boys Company. He stayed with relatives for a few weeks until he could save enough money to go back to Rowland to get Helen and their oldest daughter.

Willie and Helen joined Mt. Zion Baptist Church in 1957 and soon became some of Mt. Zion’s most active members. Willie was a member of the Male Chorus and was ordained as a Deacon in 1967 with Helen becoming a Deaconess. Willie was a dedicated Deacon serving as treasurer for many years. He loved his church and was always in attendance until health issues during his later years prevented him from attending. He enjoyed helping others and considered himself a problem solver willing to help whenever he thought it was needed.

Willie always loved to drive. After working at Pep Boys for a few years, he accepted a job with Strandberg’s Appliance driving a truck and making deliveries. He liked this job because he could keep the truck overnight! In 1966 he joined Carolina Steel Corporation, retiring in 1993, where he drove a truck delivering steel to local companies. Not ready for full retirement, Willie was employed part time as a school bus driver by Guilford County Public Schools for over 20 years. He enjoyed being an influence in the lives of the students and was recognized as a Professional (Driver) of the Year for Smith High School in 2005.

Willie’s favorite past time was his cars. He would proudly tell you that he probably owned about 30 cars – from a 1949 Plymouth to his last prized possession – a 2003 Lincoln Town Car. He always kept his cars immaculate, eating and smoking in them were not allowed.

Willie was preceded in death by his wife of 60 years, Helen; three sisters, Earnestine Thompson, Bernice Bullard, and Vauline Malloy; and four brothers, Albert, Vonsa, Earnest and Ellsworth Thompson.

He leaves to cherish his fond memories, two daughters, Glenda Brewington of Wilmington, DE, and Linda Faye Currie of Greensboro, NC; one son-in-law, Nelson Brewington of Wilmington, DE; three grandchildren, Derek (Licelis) Brewington, Britney Brewington and Christopher Blake Currie; two great grandchildren, Derek Mateo and Nicolas Brewington; three brothers, David Currie of Greensboro, NC, James L. Thompson and John R. Thompson of Winston Salem, NC; three sisters, Catherine Taylor of New York, NY, Hattie Mae Jacobs of Pembroke, NC and Mary Nancy (William) Comer of Winston Salem, NC; three brothers-in-law, Douglas (Margaret) Gillespie of High Point, NC, Gilbert (Tammie) Gillespie and Clinton (Annie) Gillespie of Greensboro, NC; one sister-in-law, Eva Lois Thompson of Rowland, NC; two loving godchildren, Kia (Omar) Robertson and Dana (Charles) Simmons; two grand godchildren, Kayla and Cameron Robertson; devoted cousins, Thurman and Virginia Taylor and Mary Kate Gillespie; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

A public viewing will be held on Thursday, October 15, 2020 from 3pm-6pm at the Cassie Coote-Brown Chapel of Perry J. Brown Funeral Home. A private graveside service honoring his life will be held Friday, October 16, 2020 at Lakeview Memorial Park.