Curtis Eugene Roy

Curtis Eugene Roy was born on April 27, 1956 to the late Robert Roy, Jr. and Mary Jones Roy. He attended Essex County Public Schools and immediately entered the work force after graduating from high school. He worked for several companies to include Jackson’s Masonry, Centex Simpson General Contractors, White’s Packing Meat Industry, and Motions Control. After years of working, Curtis chose to stay close to home by becoming the handyman for the Supply neighborhood, as well as other communities in Essex County. His decision to stay close to home was mainly to care for our parents during their illnesses. He was devoted to his family and he gave of his time and finances to help whenever the need was presented.

Curtis was an active member of Ebenezer Baptist Church where he participated in the choir and Sunday school. For many years, he assisted with the upkeep of the church grounds and Cemetery. He also enjoyed gardening, yard work, and singing.

In December of 2016, Curtis became a resident of The Laurels of Bon Air, which is a skilled nursing and rehabilitation center. Although he was there for assistance with his medical needs, he gave spiritual medicine to other residents through his faith in God. During these years, Curtis defied all odds of rebounding from intense chemotherapy treatments and numerous trips to the hospital. He actually graduated out of hospice at one point and was doing so well that he was voted President of the Residential Council at the facility. His room was the room to visit when you ran out of condiments and snacks. He was frequently caught singing “One Day at a Time” in his room.

After the news spread that Curtis’ illness had gotten worse, fellow residents camped outside of his room in their wheelchairs just to be close to him. Administrators, Physical Therapists, Nurses, and friends of the staff all took time out of their day to visit him. His good friends, the CNAs (mainly Tracy Fitzgerald, De’Asia Randall, Sidney Bates, Barbara Coles, Katina Hawkins, and Kimy Walker), always tended to his needs and kept him in good spirits and he loved them dearly. He had one good buddy, Henry Moore, who visited him regularly. All of these acts of kindness were a true testimony of the love that Curtis showed to all who came in contact with him.

Curtis was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Mary Roy; and one brother, Preston Jones, Washington, D.C. He leaves to cherish his memory five brothers, Michael Johnson, Columbia, TN; Irving Roy, Supply, VA; Leon Roy (Joyce), Milford, VA; Sherman Roy (Wanda), Spotsylvania, VA; Edward Roy (Linda), Atlanta, GA, and one sister, Margo Roy Keeles (Tim), Richmond, VA; seventeen nephews, nine nieces; four great nephews, two great nieces; and a host of relatives and friends.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making donations to The Laurels of Bon Air (Earmarked for the Residents’ activities) or the American Cancer Society in memory of Curtis.

Submitted with love by his family