Thrath Cobb Curry of Carrollton, 99, died September 26, 2021 at her home after a brief illness. Funeral services will be 11:00 am Wednesday, September 29, 2021 at Carrollton Baptist Church with Rev. Robert Heard officiating. Burial will follow in Carrollton City Cemetery with Skelton Funeral Home of Reform directing. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Henry and Hattie Cobb of Kennedy; two sisters, Sygna Miller and Yvonne Pratt; her husband Walter Wayman "Sonny" Curry; daughter-in-law, Julie Bennett Curry and grandchildren, John Walter Curry and Laura Curry Cornell.
She is survived by her son William A. Curry (Glenda), seven great-grandchildren, step-granddaughter Seana Fern, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Thrath, whose first name derived from a French village involved in an uncle's World War I service, will be remembered as a wife, mother, and teacher. Throughout her long and fruitful life, she managed both demanding work and devotion to family, friends, church, and community. Through the unswerving support of her father, she graduated from the University of Alabama in 1939, a time when few young women or rural students had such encouragement . After teaching Home Economics at Kennedy High School, she accepted a similar position at Carrollton High School, where she taught for 25 years.
A love of learning and teaching shone in every aspect of her life. As a classroom teacher, she made deep impressions and built lifelong relationships with students, many of whom considered her a role model and mentor. She taught primary and adult Sunday School at Carrollton Baptist Church over a span of more than sixty years, a commitment that gave her deep fulfillment and joy.
Always an eager student herself, she continued her education with Master's and Doctoral degrees in Secondary Education from the University of Alabama, after which she was invited to join the faculty of the Schools of Education and Home Economics there. She served as professor and associate dean before accepting the position of Dean of Home Economics at Mississippi University for Women until her retirement. She left retirement to serve three years as Headmistress of Pickens Academy. Returning home, she continued active church and community work. She authored two books: "A Heritage of Faith," a history of Carrollton Baptist Church, and "A History of Baptists in Pickens County."
She was an active member of civic and study groups and of the Alabama Education Association.
Pallbearers will be Alan Burns, Jim Clanahan, Mike DeBow, John DeBow, Butch Hildreth and Jason Miller.
Honorary Pallbearers are the members of Golden Circle Sunday School Class.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Carrollton Public Library, 225 Commerce St., Carrollton, AL 35447 or the Pickens Baptist Center (thrift and mission), 30874 AL Highway 17, Reform, AL 35481.