Reverend Curtis Lee Locus

The angel of the Lord encamps all around those who fear Him, and delivers them. Psalm 34:7 Curtis Lee Locus was born to the late Claude and the late Pearlie Ham Locus on April 17, 1932, in the Fremont area of Wayne County, North Carolina. Surrounded by family, he transitioned from this earthly life to his eternal heavenly home on September 22, 2022. He was preceded in death by his parents, six siblings and his devoted stepfather, Louis Barnes, and granddaughter Alicia D. Poarch. Curtis graduated from Norwayne High School. He later attended and graduated from Fayetteville State University, with a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education; then again from the North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University with a degree in Agricultural Education with a Driver’s Education Instructor certification. He did further studies at N.C. State University, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, and Shaw Divinity School. Curtis is a Korean Veteran that served in the U.S. Army. He often shared stories of being stationed at Schofield Barracks Army Base in Oahu, Hawaii, home of the 25th Infantry Division, also known as the Tropical Lighting Division. Consequently, he acquired a taste for freshly cut pineapple that always remained on his radar, but never surpassing his liking for NC locally grown watermelon and other produce. Curt’s early years of faith formation began at home and through attending Union Grove Church because of its proximity to their home. Later, the family started attending where he was baptized in Christian faith at Leventon Chapel Church. In 1957, Curtis and the forever Naomi Pitt of Bethel, NC were united in marriage. From their union, two children were born: Sharon and Jeffery. As an Educator, he taught in the Rocky Mount city schools and as an instructor for Edgecombe Community College. He retired in 1989 after 31 years of service. In 1970, Curtis joined the Metropolitan Baptist Church. As a member, he was blessed to serve as church clerk, member of the first male chorus, the senior choir, Sunday school teacher, a leader of the young adult missionary department, as a deacon and as an associate minister. As a part of Reverend Locus’s journey, he was called to serve as the pastor of the Cedar Creek Missionary Baptist Church, Scotland Neck, North Carolina. He served for seventeen years until retiring in 2009 due to declining health. The church honored him with the distinction of Pastor Emeritus. He leaves to cherish his memory his infinitely devoted wife Naomi Pitt Locus, son Reverend Jeffery B. Locus (Gillian), daughter, Sharon L. Locus, two granddaughters Adrienne P. Grant (Lucas), and Antonia R. Poarch, four great granddaughters Jasmine N. Grant, Alexia D. Poarch, Jordyn E. Grant, and Jayda D. Grant.

Tributes

Reverend Curtis Lee Locus

April 17, 1932 - September 22, 2022