Barbara Curtis

Barbara J. Curtis, 66, passed away July 14, 2015 at her home of 15 years, Arkansas Health Center. Initially, she made a home for her and her daughter in Little Rock, Arkansas.
She was born June 2, 1949 in Little Rock, Arkansas and raised by her grandparents, Herbert and Zelma McHughes in Ferndale. Herbert and Zelma graciously invited Barbara into their home when she was only 6 weeks old and took care of her as if she were their own as they had done before raising several of their grandchildren.
Diagnosed with Epilepsy at the age of 17, she never let her seizure disorder define her. She was able to complete Cosmetology school and make this her career. Trying for a better quality of life in 1991 she had decided to undergo brain surgery for her seizure disorder as it seemed the statistics where in her favor, unfortunately the surgery failed. In addition to still having seizures she now had several mental health diagnosis to contend with. Soon after she became disabled due to her failing health.
She was a beautiful person and loved her daughter more than anything, it was obvious to anyone Barbara made her the number one priority in her life. She was adventurous and loved being outdoors and loved to fish and would chase her daughter with crawdads laughing the entire time. A little mischievous, she loved getting a good laugh out of everyone. Her smile was beautiful and her laughter contagious. From the time she was a little girl she had a soft place in her heart for all animals-didn't matter what kind...from her one legged rooster that she used to sneak into granny's house when she was a child to feeding any stray that came along and making sure the birds got fed at the nursing facility.
She was happiest when she spent time with her daughter, son-in-law and her grandchildren at their home in Bryant, Arkansas. Ironically, her granddaughter, Alyssa Zimmerman followed in her footsteps also becoming a cosmetologist. She was so proud of the both of them. She told her grandson, Andrew Zimmerman she knew that he would choose a caregiver type career because he has such a sweet and caring nature about him.
Predeceased by her loving and selfless grandparents, Herbert and Zelma McHughes, Ferndale, AR., her mother: Bobbie Alene Nichols, Moines, IA., and her Father: William "Bill" Adams, Sherwood, AR
Barbara was happiest when she was spending time with her daughter and son-in-law (Kimberly and Tony Zimmerman) and her grandchildren (Alyssa and Andrew Zimmerman).
She leaves behind her daughter, Kimberly D. Zimmerman (Tony) and her grandchildren, Alyssa and Andrew Zimmerman all of Bryant, Arkansas, although separated for a long period of time-she also leaves behind her husband- Tyrone Curtis (Donnie), her "sisters" who were raised with her by her grandparents: Martha White, Norma Allred and Rhonda Ethridge; her cousin, Gary W. Modlin who held a special place in her heart, two half-sisters Rebecca Adams and Donna Nichols Fitzgerald of Des Moines, Iowa and a half-brother Bobby W. Nichols of Kentucky.
Her wish was to be with her granny, therefore a private ceremony for the burial of her ashes will take place at Spring Valley Cemetery. A celebration of her life will be announced at a later date for all family and friends to gather and share our happy stories of her.
For so many years my mom and I were a team, the best of friends. She was absolutely the best mom she could be. She gave me the tools to become the person, wife, and mother that I am today. I am forever thankful to have had her for as long as I did. While she was in the hospital I told her to just imagine that there is a beautiful place with granny waiting for you and the greatest gift is there will be no suffering, no seizures, no pain only joy, with a single tear rolling down her cheek, she said "That would be so nice". I love you momma and will miss you every day.
A special Thank You to the staff at Arkansas Health Center for loving and caring for her as if she were your own.