Betty Jo Curl, 82, of Nederland, died Tuesday, February 19, 2013. She was born in Houston, Texas, on September 21, 1930, to parents Jewel and Bernice Slay. Betty attended Houston schools and studied classical piano for several years before leaving Houston.
In 1940, her parents moved to Nacogdoches where her paternal grandparents were living. She attended the Demonstration High School at Stephen F. Austin State Teachers College until her graduation. While attending high school at the college, Betty also studied Classical piano with Miss Mamie Middlebrook, a well-known teacher of piano in the area.
After graduation she moved to Port Arthur, Texas, where she attended the Business College and later went to work at the Jones-Leavell Adjustment Company. After her twenty-fifth birthday she started working for the BF Goodrich Chemical Company in Port Neches, Texas, and attended Lamar State College at evening classes, studying psychology, sociology, business, and creative writing. After her retirement in 1995, she joined the staff at CASA and Beaumont Suicide and Crisis Center.
Mrs. Curl volunteered at the CASA organization counseling young people in her care and making sure they had desirable living arrangements. At the same time she volunteered as night counselor to people in distress who contact the Beaumont Suicide and Crisis Center for assistance.
Betty has three children: son, Jerome (Jerry) Mantellini; daughters, Melinda Venable and Julia (Julie) Mantellini; son-in-law, Ricky Venable; daughter-in-law, Elaine Mantellini; and three grandchildren: granddaughters, Cassie Kubiak and Lisa Prince; and grandson, Brandon Venable; grandson-in-law, Dewayne Prince; and great-grandchildren, Tyler, Allysa, Jackie, and Alex Kubiak.
She is preceded in death by her husband, John Curl; and her parents.
A gathering of Mrs. Curl’s family and friends will be from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., Thursday, February 21, 2013, at Broussard’s, 505 North 12th Street, Nederland. Her funeral service will be 10:00 a.m., Friday, February 22, 2013, at Broussard’s, with entombment to follow at Greenlawn Memorial Park, Groves.
The family wishes to extend special thanks to Odyssey Hospice and Sharon Lowery, R.N., for the care provided to Betty.
