Jerry Robert Curles was born on a cotton farm in Cotton, Ga. on July 8, 1936. He was the second son and ninth child of Percy and Sadie Curles.

Having seven older sisters and one older brother, Jerry was special from the beginning of his life – he never lacked for a playmate. Not only was he blessed with  a large immediate family, he also had numerous cousins.

Jerry was a good student and loved school. He attended Cotton Elementary School and graduated from Pelham High School. After high school he served in the USAF. He worked for the Katy Railroad Co.

Jerry is survived by his children, Robbie and Tracy Curles and Ferman and Debbie Hampton; grandchildren, Colton Curles, Kyle and Joann Hampton, Cole Hampton, and Chris and Becky Hyden; and great-grandchildren, Wes Hampton and Harleigh Hyden.

He was preceded in death by son Lee Curles and grandson J.R. Curles. He is also survived by sisters Catherine Banks of Virginia Beach, Va., Jenny Morrell of Albany Ga., Mary Hart of Pelham, Ga., Phyllis Grizzle of Buford, Ga., and Glenda Hill of Leesburg, Ga. Also surviving is his children’s mother, Margie Jimenez.