Oleta Curtis

W. Oleta Curtis peacefully passed away on April, 15, 2011, with her daughter at her side. Born February 22, 1929 in Sulphur, OK to Reese and Lola Hale, Oleta attended Nebo Elementary School and graduated from Sulphur High School. While there, she was Valedictorian of her class and a member of the National Honor Society. In 1951, Oleta followed the love of her life, Henry Curtis to California and they married in Merced, CA on October 23, 1951. They moved to Chico in 1956. While raising their daughter, Carroll, Oleta was an active member of the J. Partridge PTA, serving as President for a number of years. She worked as a bookkeeper in the early sixties for Richard Springs Resort and later for Dr. Rodney Strong MD, and Butte Pump. Oleta loved to dance, socialize, shop...she had a sense of humor that kept everyone guessing and she enjoyed cooking all the wild game her husband loved bringing home. A lifelong member of the Church of Christ, Oleta held her congregation as family. After the loss of her husband in April of 2004, she was joined by her sister, Allene, who moved out to be with her from Oklahoma. The two were quite a pair while they resided at her home on El Paso Way. The small but mighty redheads made an impact on all who met them. With the passing of her sister in 2009, Oleta moved to Prestige Assisted Living in Chico. She quickly made a new and loving family with the staff there. The last years had become quite a struggle for her, no longer an avid gardener; she battled her health issues, but she always had her humor and that bright red hair! Oleta was preceded in death by her parents; sisters, Allene Hale and Audra Mae Messner; nephew, Stanley D. Hale and her loving husband, Henry. She is survived by her daughter and her partner, Carroll Curtis (Tara) of Yankee Hill; grand-nephew, Reece Hale of St. Louis, MO; and "special" sister, Viva Rhodes. She also leaves with her numerous nieces, nephews and cousins in California, Oklahoma and Colorado. Deepest thanks to Enloe Hospice for your care and support. To Prestige Assisted Living, you were family to Oleta and she cherished each and every one of you, as you did her. Services will be held at the Church of Christ on the corner of Lassen and Burnap at 11 a.m. Thursday, April 21, 2011, with Visitation at 10:30 a.m. that same morning. A short graveside service will follow at Chico Cemetary. In leu of flowers, donations can be made to Enloe Hospice or Shriners Children's Hospital, in care of Brusie Funeral Home.