At the age of 95, Dalyce Curry, affectionately known as “Momma Dee” to her extensive family, epitomized the word “fabulous.”
Her granddaughter Dalyce Kelley, who shares her name, remarked on her grandmother’s enduring style, noting, “My grandmother still wore her big hair, glasses, nails, you know, painted makeup. She was just fabulous, period.”
Born in Little Rock, Arkansas, in 1929, Curry’s vibrant personality and passion were destined to lead her to Hollywood.
Eventually, she made Los Angeles her home. While she never achieved stardom, she mingled with some of the prominent figures of old Hollywood. Curry’s experiences included singing backup for the legendary Pearl Bailey, appearing as an extra alongside Diana Ross in “Lady Sings the Blues,” and being guided by the first Black woman to sign a film contract.
Last week, Dalyce Curry passed away at her residence in Altadena amidst the chaos of the Eaton Fire that swept through her community.
Just the night before, her granddaughter had dropped her off around 11:30 p.m. after taking her to the hospital due to some dizziness. During their drive, the fire was visible in the distance, and the power was out as they exited the interstate.
However, her grandmother’s neighborhood appeared safe, with power restored, so Kelley decided to check in later. She also reached out to a neighborhood text group, requesting that someone update her if evacuations occurred.
The following morning, Kelley received an urgent message around 5:30 a.m., inquiring if Curry had evacuated during the night. In a panic, she raced to Altadena, only to be held back by a police barricade. An officer informed her that her grandmother’s cottage had completely burned down. Desperately, she sought her grandmother among the nearby shelters.
Four days later, the family received the grave news confirming that Curry was one of at least 25 casualties from the catastrophic fires in Los Angeles.
The devastating fire claimed all of Curry’s treasured family keepsakes, including photographs spanning nearly a century. The sole survivor of her possessions was a 1981 midnight blue Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham, which, though non-operational, Curry had hoped to restore and rent out to filmmakers producing movies set in the ’80s.
Her connection to the film world blossomed after she formed a friendship with Nellie Crawford, known as Madame Sul-Te-Wan, at a Los Angeles beauty salon in the early 1950s.
Kelley recounted how Curry expressed her interest in the arts and theater, prompting Crawford to take her under her wing, declaring her as her goddaughter.
This mentorship led to Curry securing minor roles, including a spot in the 1956 film “The Ten Commandments,” where she danced and bowed before the king.
“It was a small part, but we were all so proud,” Kelley reminisced.
Dahlce Curry also appeared in “Lady Sings the Blues” and “The Blues Brothers,” and performed alongside Pearl Bailey in various venues throughout the United States.
In her later years, Curry transitioned to nursing, providing care in convalescent homes and private settings. Along with one son, she leaves behind seven grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren.
Kelley expressed her deep sorrow at losing her grandmother, recalling her positivity, vibrant energy, unwavering strength, and her signature saying: “Nothing is as bad as it seems, even at its worst.”
Kelley added, “Everyone should just kind of live by that, even those who have experienced the aftermath of the fire and lost loved ones, homes, and so much more amidst this devastation.”
