Ernestine Payne Curry was born in Tallahassee, Florida on September 14, 1928, to the late Hobson Payne and Rosa Quintana.
She was raised in Newport, Rhode Island and moved to Key West, FL where she attended St. Francis Xavier Catholic School and graduated from Key West High School. She raised her siblings due to the untimely passing of her mother and their children affectionally refer to her as Auntie/Grandma.
Ernestine was married to the Love of her life James W. Curry, Jr. “Butch” for 75 years. To this union they were blessed with four (4) children: James, III “Butchie”, Regina, and Calvin who all preceded her in death.
She worked for the Adult Education Department at Key West High School, cafeteria worker at Gerald Adams School and Nathan Eden.
She loved her church The Basilica of St. Mary Star of the Sea. She was a dedicated member of the Catholic Daughters of America. She volunteered in the Soup Kitchen. She was a former member of the Eastern Star. She was a member of the Royalettes Social Club and Golden Swingers. First female inductee of the Frederick Douglass School Black Educators Memorial project. A member of the Sacred Circle of Elders and recipient of the Rose Sands Lopez compassionate heart award.
Ernestine was a fun spirited soul who took on many passions. She was the kindest most loving and thoughtful person, with a kindred spirit. She was a listening ear. Her smile and bubbly personality would light up a room and NO was never in her vocabulary. She fashioned herself like Jesus and fed a multitude. She prepared meals for churches, families and prior to her illness would cook her infamous Arroz Con Pollo (Chicken and Yellow Rice) for the bereaved families in our community. She made monthly contributions to numerous Charites locally and nationally. She was a woman of poise, beauty, and elegance some would say she was a fashionista. She enjoyed playing Pokeno and Pitty-Pat with the ladies and gentlemen who she loved dearly.
Ernestine Payne Curry affectionately known as “Stina or Mama Stina” our Queen/Angel on earth passed away peacefully on September 26, 2023, at the tender age of 95.