Johnnie Mae Curtis was born on February 12, 1951, in Jasper, Texas, to the late Annie Bell Bowie Kenebrew Roebuck and Freddie Mayes. She accepted Christ at an early age and became a faithful member of Greater New Bethel Baptist Church.

Johnnie Mae was a proud graduate of J.H. Rowe High School, Class of 1969. Following her graduation, she moved to Dallas, Texas, where she built a life rooted in faith, family, and hard work. She later met and married James Lamont Curtis, and together they were blessed with three wonderful sons: Eric, Deric, and Chris Curtis.

She was a dedicated and hardworking woman who spent many years employed with Texas Instruments, Neiman Marcus, and the Walmart Vision Center in Dallas, Texas, where she eventually retired.

Johnnie Mae was preceded in death by her parents, Annie Bell Bowie Kenebrew Roebuck and Freddie Mayes; her stepfather, Willie Roebuck; her sisters, Mary Jo Johnson, Gloria Lewis, and Francis Twine; and her brothers, Amos Kenebrew, Elroy Kenebrew, Alvin Roebuck, Bobby Mayes, Billy Mayes, and Leroy Mayes.

Johnnie Mae's life will be forever cherished by her sons, Eric Curtis (Charmaine) of Dallas, Texas, Deric Curtis (Likeitha) of Dallas, Texas, and Chris Curtis of St. Paul, Minnesota; her sisters, Essie Shankle of Jasper, Texas, Brenda Roebuck of Dallas, Texas, and Irma Mayes of Jasper, Texas; and her brothers, Willie Kenebrew (Margaret) of Jasper, Texas and Gerald Mayes of Jasper, Texas. She is also lovingly remembered by her grandchildren, Karen Curtis and Mia Curtis; three great-grandchildren; a special nephew, Jairus Roebuck; and dear friends, Katie Adams, Glenda Mitchell, Dorothy Green, and Lena Brown. In addition, she leaves a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends who will forever cherish her memory.