sarah williams curry
1893-1969
Life Story
A Life of Faith, Family, and Community Leadership in Lawrence
Early Life and Family Roots
Sarah Williams Curry was born on September 18, 1893, in Newton County, Mississippi, to Nick Williams and Ann Hardy Williams. She was raised in the rural community of Lawrence in Beat 4, where family, land, and labor shaped the rhythms of daily life.
Growing up in a large farming household, Sarah learned early the responsibilities required to sustain a family in the post-Reconstruction South. By 1910, at just seventeen years old, she was already working as a farm laborer while attending school—an important detail that reflects both her work ethic and her access to literacy. Unlike her father, who could not read or write, Sarah gained the ability to do both, a skill that would remain with her throughout her life.
Marriage and Family Foundations
Around 1911, Sarah married Carlton Curry (also recorded as Carleton or Jake in various records). The couple began their life together within a multigenerational Curry household, living alongside Carlton’s father and extended family in Newton County.
Over the course of their marriage, Sarah gave birth to twelve children, building a large and enduring family. Her life, however, was marked by both joy and sorrow—five of her children preceded her in death, a reality that was tragically common in the early twentieth century.
Her surviving children included:
- Daughters: Willie Saulter, Mildred Evans, Inez Smith, Jerlene McDonald, and Earnestine Curry
- Sons: Arthur Curry and Nathaniel Curry
Through her children, Sarah’s family extended beyond Mississippi, reaching into Illinois, Florida, and Ohio—reflecting the broader movement of the Great Migration.
A Life of Faith
Faith stood at the center of Sarah’s life. At an early age, she joined Jerusalem Baptist Church, where she remained a faithful and devoted member throughout her lifetime. Her obituary described her as a “devoted Christian,” a phrase that reflects both her personal belief and her public example.
Her spiritual life, however, extended beyond a single congregation. Like many women in Lawrence, Sarah moved fluidly within a network of church and community spaces, including strong ties to Union Chapel Methodist Church, where her funeral would later be held.
Community Life and Leadership
Sarah Williams Curry was not only a mother and homemaker—she was an active and respected figure within the Lawrence community.
She was a member of H.B.A. Lodge No. 308, an important mutual aid and social organization for Black women in the Lawrence community. By the late 1940s, the lodge recognized Mrs. M. E. Curry, one of its leading members, for more than twenty-two years of loyal and faithful service with a special program held in Lawrence. Among those participating in the event was Sarah Curry, whose inclusion reflects her active role within the lodge and her presence among the community’s engaged and respected women.
Her community life extended into spaces of gathering, fellowship, and shared faith. On January 1, 1950, a large New Year’s Day celebration was held at the home of Mrs. M. E. Curry, where forty-three people gathered for a day of food, worship, and community. The occasion was described as a “Pentecostal” experience, filled with “eating, singing, and shouting.” Among those leading the song service was Sarah Curry, whose participation reflects her active role in the spiritual and social life of the Lawrence community.
These moments reveal a woman whose influence extended far beyond her household—into the spiritual and social life of the entire community.
Survival and Resilience
Sarah’s life was not without moments of sudden danger. On June 14, 1941, her home in Lawrence was struck by lightning in a dramatic and terrifying incident. The bolt traveled across the entire structure, leaving Sarah critically ill and temporarily speechless.
While her husband, Carlton, and two of their sons were also affected, they recovered quickly. Sarah’s survival from such an event became a lasting testament to her resilience—one more chapter in a life already marked by endurance.
Final Years and Passing
In her later years, Sarah remained deeply connected to her family, her faith, and her community. She witnessed the expansion of her family across multiple states and generations, maintaining her role as a matriarch even as the world around her changed.
Sarah Williams Curry passed away on September 11, 1969, just days before her 76th birthday.
Her funeral was held at Union Chapel Methodist Church in Lawrence, where the building was described as “filled to overflow,” a powerful reflection of the life she had lived and the people she had touched. The service was officiated by Rev. Whitehead, and interment followed in the church cemetery.
Legacy
At the time of her passing, Sarah left behind:
- Seven children
- 15 grandchildren
- 5 great-grandchildren
- Four sisters, including Hattie Bobbett of Lawrence
Her life represents the enduring strength of Black women in rural Mississippi—women who held families together, sustained communities, and created spaces of faith, care, and celebration.
Why Her Story Matters
Sarah Williams Curry’s life reveals the central role of Black women as anchors of both family and community. She was not only a mother of many, but also a leader in church, lodge, and neighborhood life.
Her story bridges generations—from the children of formerly enslaved parents to descendants who would spread across the nation—carrying with them the values she lived every day: faith, resilience, and connection.
Fast Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Sarah Williams Curry |
| Birth | September 18, 1893 |
| Death | September 11, 1969 |
| Parents | Nick Williams & Ann Hardy Williams |
| Education | Literate; attended school while working |
| Occupation | Farm Laborer, Homemaker |
| Residence | Lawrence (Beat 4), Newton County, Mississippi |
| Spouse | Carlton Curry |
| Children | 12 (7 surviving) |
| Affiliations | Jerusalem Baptist Church; H.B.A. Lodge No. 308 |
| Burial | Union Chapel Methodist Church Cemetery |
Resting Place
Union Chapel United Methodist Church Graveyard
Photos/Albums
Sources
- 1900 Federal Census
- 1910 Federal Census
- 1920 Federal Census
- 1930 Federal Census
- 1940 Federal Census
- 1950 Federal Census
- The Newton Record, Hattie Williams Bobbett Obituary, Wed, Nov 28, 1973 ·Page 2
- U.S., Find a Grave® Index, 1600s-Current
- U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007
- The Newton Record (Newton, MS), “Mrs. Sarah W. Curry,” September 24, 1969, p. 13.
- The Echo (Newton County, MS), “Lawrence—Mrs. Sarah Curry is critically ill…,” June 20, 1941, p. 1.
- The Echo (Newton County, MS), “Lawrence News,” January 15, 1950, p. 2.
- The Echo (Newton County, MS), “Lawrence—H.B.A. Lodge No. 308 honors Mrs. M. E. Curry,” January 1, 1947, p. 4.
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