Memorial Folder for Mary Alice Curry

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS We wish to express our sincere gratitude to all of you for your prayers, presence, love, phone calls, emails, text messages and other expressions of concern that you have shown during our time of bereavement.

Special thanks to Julie Cabral, Anastassia Curry, Bishop Clarence & First Lady Patti Powell, Clancy Families from Rochester/Memphis/Alabama, Floyd A. Williams Funeral Home and Twelfth Baptist Church for supporting the family during this very difficult time.

Never more than now was your kindness needed and more appreciated.

May God continue to shower you with Blessings!

The Family of Mary Alice Curry “Choo Choo”

PALLBEARERS Nathaniel Curry (son) Jaron Phillips (nephew) Michael Curry (brother) Michael Curry Jr. (nephew) Marcus Curry (nephew) Joseph Phillips (brother-in-law)

FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS ENTRUSTED TO:

490 Columbia Road, Boston, MA 02125 www.floydawilliamsfuneralhome.com

ORDER OF SERVICE Officiating: Reverend Willie Bodrick, II Host & Senior Pastor

WE WILL

MISS YOU

CHOO CHOO

Bishop Clarence Powell Abundant Life Deliverance Temple | Dorchester MA

CLERGY PROCESSIONAL Invocation …………..…….….…Rev. Willie Bodrick II Congressional Hymn……….;……“Blessed Assurance” SCRIPTURE READINGS Old Testament: Psalms 23………..Forest White (cousin) New Testament: John 14:1-3……..Jean Daniels (cousin) Prayers & Words of Comfort……Rev. Willie Bodrick II Musical Solo………….…………….Jonathan Gramling “How Great Thou Art” Poem………………....“LIFE”..................Natalie Curry (daughter) Obituary…………………….…Lakeya “Nikki” Boakye FAMILY REFLECTIONS Nathaniel Curry (son) Naiyah Curry (granddaughter) Bertha Davis (cousin) Ann Brown (cousin) Michael Curry (brother) SPECIAL TRIBUTES Musical Selection……..………Bishop Clarence Powell “I Won’t Complain” Eulogy…………………………Bishop Clarence Powell Committal Ceremony………….Bishop Clarence Powell Benediction……………………...Rev. Willie Bodrick II Final Viewing / Recessional

REPASS TWELFTH BAPTIST CHURCH Lower Reception Hall

O R D E R O F S E R V I C E

OBITUARY Born December 30, 1962, in Greensboro, Alabama, Mary was called home to be with the Lord on September 22, 2025, at her home in Dorchester, Massachusetts. She was the beloved daughter of Mahalia Curry and William “Bill” Thomas Sr. Mary, affectionately known as “Choo Choo,” had an unwavering, unconditional, and boundless love for her children and grandchildren and spoke fondly of them often, even when circumstances and distance prevented them from spending time together. Mary carried a deep passion for service, particularly for families in crisis and those suffering from substance use disorder. She served as Coordinator and HIV/AIDS Substance Abuse Specialist for Women’s Inc., the first dual-tract residential substance abuse program for women and children in the country. Her work also included corrections security, counseling at The Harbor Light Center—a residential and outpatient rehabilitation program—and case management for Vinfen, a nonprofit providing community-based services to individuals with mental health conditions and developmental disabilities. As Shift Coordinator for the Friends of Shattuck Shelter, she trained and supported staff in implementing program policies and procedures. Her dedication extended beyond her career.

For many years, Mary volunteered with Narcotics Anonymous (NA) in various capacities. She also volunteered as a Switchboard Operator with AIDS Action and was a proud member of the Boston NAACP, where she supported her brother Michael during his tenure as President of the Boston branch. Mary’s commitment to service grew out of her own lived experiences with struggle and resilience. Having overcome personal challenges and substance use, she celebrated her sobriety on September 6, 1990, and made it her life’s mission to support others on their journeys.

Guided by her relationship with God, she completed ministerial education, served as a missionary, and was active in women’s ministry at Abundant Life Deliverance Temple.

Mary’s impact reached far and wide. She participated in several prayer groups and attended various churches including Ebenezer Baptist Church, New Life Restoration Temple Church, and Twelfth Baptist Church and her current home at Abundant Life. Those who knew her described “Sister Mary” as loving, funny, cheerful, and God- fearing. Janice of Mothers Against Drugs (MADMOMS) recalled: “She loved those big, beautiful hats. Mary joined our grief support group last year and was always there for mothers who lost children.

She was always the first one in the Zoom and prayed for us with everything she had. I’m going to miss you, Lady Mary!”

If you knew Choo Choo, you remember her welcoming smile, infectious laugh, mischievous sense of humor, unexpected text messages, famous jerk chicken, and spirited debates. You likely heard her Madea-inspired greeting, “Helluur!?!” and her hopeful conversations (and plans) about someday getting married.

Mary attended Madison Park High School, earned her G.E.D. from Roxbury Community College, and pursued further studies in criminal justice and human services at Mount Wachusett Community College.

She leaves to cherish her memory: her loving mother Mahalia; son Nathaniel “Nate” (wife Anastassia); daughter Natalie; grandchildren Bella, Emmanuel, Lorenzo, Nadia, Nathaniel Jr., Naysha, Neya, Niayha, Joshua and Samarra; brothers Eric Sr., Wayne, and Michael; sister Veronica; aunts Ethelle, Magnolia, Sandra, Priscilla, Shirley, Bertha, Deborah, and Sonya; uncles Charles “Jobie,” Charles, and Shawn; 21 nieces and nephews; countless cousins; and many dear friends who considered her a sister.

She was preceded in death by her father William “Bill” Thomas Sr., and brothers Darryl Curry and William Thomas Jr. Though Mary is no longer physically with us, her spirit lives on. Her story of resilience, faith, and service will continue to inspire and uplift all who were blessed to know her.

O B I T U A R Y Y

L O V I N G M E M O R I E S