At the age of 95, Dalyce Curry, affectionately known as “Momma Dee” among her vast family, embodied the essence of being fabulous. Her granddaughter, Dalyce Kelley, fondly remembers her grandmother, stating, “She still showcased her big hair, chic glasses, and manicured nails, with her makeup perfectly done. She was simply fabulous, no question about it.”
Born in Little Rock, Arkansas in 1929, Curry’s vibrant personality naturally gravitated toward the glitz of Hollywood. Eventually, she made her way to Los Angeles. Although she never achieved stardom, she had memorable encounters with the Hollywood elite, including performing as a backup singer for Pearl Bailey and making an appearance alongside Diana Ross in the film “Lady Sings the Blues.” She even had the privilege of being mentored by the first Black woman to sign a movie contract.
Sadly, Curry passed away last week at her Altadena residence amidst the raging Eaton Fire. Earlier that day, her granddaughter had taken her home around 11:30 p.m. after a day of tests at the hospital due to her feeling faint. While driving, they spotted the fire in the distance, and upon exiting the interstate in Altadena, they noticed power was out. However, there were no immediate threats to her grandmother’s neighborhood, leading Kelley to leave with a promise to check in later. She encouraged neighbors to inform her of any evacuation notices.
The next morning, Kelley awoke to an urgent text message in the group chat, inquiring if her grandmother had evacuated during the night. Rushing to Altadena, Kelley found herself stopped by police barricades. An officer called her to deliver the heartbreaking news that her grandmother’s cottage had been completely destroyed by fire. In a panicked search, she looked for her grandmother in nearby shelters.
Tragically, four days later, the Los Angeles Coroner’s office confirmed that Curry was among the fire’s victims, adding her to the list of at least 25 individuals who lost their lives due to the catastrophic flames. All family treasures, including cherished photographs spanning nine decades, were lost in the inferno. The one item that miraculously survived was a 1981 midnight blue Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham. While it was inoperable, Curry had dreams of refurbishing it to rent out to production companies for period films.
Curry’s journey in entertainment began after she befriended Nellie Crawford, who was known by the stage name Madame Sul-Te-Wan, at a beauty salon in Los Angeles during the early 1950s. Kelley recounted how Crawford, the first Black woman to gain recognition in films through a signed contract, took Curry under her wing when she learned about her interest in the arts. This mentorship led Curry to an extra role in the cinematic classic “The Ten Commandments” in 1956.
“It was a small part, but we were all immensely proud,” Kelley noted. In addition to this, Curry performed as an extra in “Lady Sings the Blues” and “The Blues Brothers,” and sang and danced as a backup for Pearl Bailey at various venues across the United States.
Later in life, Curry transitioned into nursing, offering her services in convalescent homes and private care. Using her maiden name, she had one son and leaves behind seven grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren. Kelley expressed the profound loss of her grandmother’s positivity, vibrant spirit, strength, and her famous saying: “Nothing is as bad as it seems, even at its worst.”
Kelley reflected on her grandmother’s wisdom, urging others—especially those impacted by the fires, who have lost loved ones and their homes amidst the devastation—to adopt this perspective.
