Barbara Harrison Curry, widow of the late Richard Curry, passed from this life Monday, September 21, 2009. She was 84. Brother and sister Curry were both loved by Forest Hill, the Memphis School of Preaching, and countless members of the church throughout the brotherhood. Our hearts are stirred with rich memories as we consider the great good they did during their lives here on earth. In fact, those of us who knew them are better for having known them. Sister Curry was born in 1925 in Tiplersville, Mississippi and baptized into Christ and added to His church in 1934. For 75 years she lived the life of a Christian. She was beautiful inwardly and outwardly. Her beauty was not just skin deep it went all the way to the heart. Her attractiveness caught the eye of a young Richard Curry and they were married in 1943. I once commented to brother Curry how I thought sister Barbara was so pretty. Of course, he agreed, and responded, "she was pretty when I married her, she is pretty now, she has always been pretty." Her beauty even caused one student to say a few years ago, "I hope when my wife is ‘old', she looks just like sister Curry." However, the outward beauty of this former Mary Kay saleslady, only enhanced her inward beauty. Peter wrote, concerning godly wives, "whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel, But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price" (1 Pet. 3:3,4). Indeed, Barbara Curry was the godly wife of Richard and the Christian mother to their two children. Her life was indeed a blessing to others. She is one that Christian ladies should emulate. Not only did sister Curry serve as a preacher's wife, but also, she was an elder's wife. Paul wrote, "Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things" (1 Tim. 3:11). Indeed, her life was the epitome of God's ideal woman as recorded in Proverbs 31. Her life was a blessing because she believed in and followed after the teachings of the Bible. She accepted the Bible as God's inspired word (2 Tim. 3:16,17). She believed what the Bible taught concerning Christ, the gospel plan of salvation, the church, true worship, Christian living, and heaven and hell. She knew that hell should be shunned and heaven should be gained and she prepared accordingly. Because of our great hope in Christ we are confident sister Curry has gone to a better place. We salute her family who took such good care of her during her final moments on earth. However, we know they are peace knowing she is at peace. Our Lord said, "Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you and if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also" (John 14:1-3). While sickness finally took its toll on the physical body of Barbara Curry, such has no power over her inward beauty reflected in her sweet and kind spirit which lives forever (2 Cor. 4:16-5:1). The funeral service for sister Curry was conducted Thursday, September 24 at the Forest Hill building. Evangelists Gary Colley and Barry Grider delivered eulogies. Tim Harris, a grandson, spoke on behalf of the family. Curtis Cates, director emeritus of the Memphis School of Preaching, led the closing prayer. Jason McDade directed the congregational singing. Among the hymn selections was a personal favorite of brother and sister Curry, "The Lord Has Been Mindful of Me." Indeed the Lord has been mindful of all of us for giving us the privilege and pleasure of knowing Barbara and Richard Curry. Sister Curry was laid to rest next to her beloved husband at Forest Hill South Cemetery. Please continue to pray for Nancy, Richard, and all of the family.