Mildred (Tucker) Curlee

Mildred Tucker Baucom Curlee, 92, of Matthews and formerly of Kannapolis, passed away at Novant Health Presbyterian Medical Center, Friday August 27, 2021. Born on February 8, 1929 in Stanley County, she was the daughter of Letha Mae Tucker. At Mildred’s request there will be no funeral service, only a private immediate family gathering for memories, prayers and interment, at Carolina Memorial Park.

Mildred was raised by her granny, Ila Elsie Tucker, in Oakboro and as a teenager she won the title of “Miss Oakboro”.

Mildred excelled as a mother, seamstress, cook and gardener. She was the heart of her household and cooked delicious meals for her growing family and friends. Her recipes were always in demand. One always knew where Mildred stood. She was strong and outspoken and loved with that same power and strength.

When her children went to school she took a job at Terry Products, a baby clothes manufacturer in Kannapolis, where she rose from seamstress to supervisor. She worked there for 30 years.

Mildred suffered from early onset Macular Degeneration but that didn’t slow her down. She could accomplish as much in one day as some sighted people do in a week.

Mildred is survived by her brother and sister-in-law Jerry and Margaret Poplin and he sister-in-law Wanda Howard (husband Jim), her children, Terry Lee Baucom (wife Jennifer), Karen Elizabeth Roscoe (husband Ed), Edward Joseph Baucom (wife Cathy), her grandchildren Craig Baucom, Vanessa Sassman (husband Jimmy), Jarrett Moss (wife Heather), Christy Jones (husband George), Dawn Helm (husband Pat), Nate Baucom (wife Maggie) and Jake Baucom (wife Brandi) and many beloved great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren.

Mildred touched the lives of so many people and so many people generously reciprocated. We wish we could name everyone! A special thank you to great granddaughter Breanna Harris and great grandsons, Jake, Jesse, and Jude Jones for their visits and help to Mildred in her final days.

Mildred is predeceased by her husband of 54 years, Henry Lee Baucom, her daughter Barbara Sharon Baucom in 2014 and her second husband of 12 years, Glenn Melvyn Curlee.

The family wishes to thank the nurses and staff at Brookdale South for the professional and loving care Mildred received during the last days of her life.

Memorials donations may be sent to:
North Carolina Library for the Blind, 1841 Capital Blvd., Raleigh, NC 27653. This organization was a saving grace in the later years of her life, as her books on tape were her major source of entertainment.
Macular Degeneration Research, 22512 Gateway Center Dr., Clarksburg, MD 20871.

Condolences may be expressed online at www.whitleysfuneralhome.com