Deacon James C. Cureton, Sr.

Deacon James Columbus Cureton, Sr., of 513 Wil-Stel Road, Columbia, South Carolina (SC), was born November 16, 1934, in Walhalla, SC to the late Jasper McTill Cureton and Corrine Moore Cureton.  He joined his Heavenly Father on Sunday, April 24, 2022 at his home.

James was educated in the public schools of Oconee County in Walhalla, SC. He graduated from Oconee County Training School and upon graduation he attended Denmark Technical College. In 1954, he came to Columbia, SC and lived with the late George and Falease Davis. This is where he obtained his masonry apprenticeship and became one of the greatest brick masons in SC.

In 1955, James met his beloved wife, Elease Ward Cureton. They became as one in 1956 and have been together ever since for sixty-six (66) years. Deacon James and Deaconess Elease Cureton are blessed to have had five children. Deacon Cureton, affectionately known as ‘Pops’, loved his family and tried to give good advice to all his children and grandchildren.

At an early age James joined Flat Rock Baptist Church, Walhalla, SC and attended as often as possible. He was a faithful member at Flat Rock Baptist Church until he moved to Townville, SC where he united with Shiloh Baptist Church.

In 1974 he joined Laurel Street Baptist Church in Columbia, SC which was then located at 611 Laurel Street. He served faithfully as a trustee and worked around the church in this capacity. Trustee James Cureton installed the first baptism pool at Laurel Street. For numerous years he served well as a teacher, member of the brotherhood, Christian Education director, bible study teacher, Baptist Training Union (BTU) instructor, and was instrumental in the development of the New Member’s handbook, which is still in use today. On March 8, 1987, James Cureton, Sr. became a Deacon of Laurel Street under the leadership of Rev. Dr. Charles E. Graham. Deacon James Cureton served faithfully and worked hard to keep the doors of New Laurel Street Missionary Baptist Church open. Deacon Cureton learned under the direction of Rev. Richard Ravenel, Rev. William Bush, Rev. Dr. Charles Graham, Rev. Edward Cook, Rev. Thaddeus Spencer, and Rev. Charles B. Jackson, Jr. Deacon James Cureton was not a stranger to anyone.  He helped a lot of people by providing them a place to stay, giving them food to eat or clothes on their back for various family members and others in need. Deacon Cureton would go out of his way to help others. He was the true meaning of JOY – Jesus First, Others Second and Yourself Last.

Deacon James Cureton was preceded in death by his parents; a daughter, Chandra Simpson; three sisters, Charlotte Hazel Scott, Elvira Reaves, Ethel Williams; and a grandson, James C. Cureton III.

Those left to cherish Deacon Cureton’s precious memories are his wife, Elease W. Cureton; two sons, James C. Cureton, Jr. (Norma) of Summerville, SC and Jasper E. Cureton, Sr. (Michele) of Columbia, SC; two daughters, Faye E. Golding (William, Jr), Columbia SC and Catherine T. Geiger (Floyd), Pomaria, SC; two brothers, Jasper Marshall Cureton, Columbia, SC and William E. Cureton, Sr. (Mary Ann), West Union, SC; one sister, Mable Thomas (Prince) Lansdale, PA; thirteen grandchildren, Wilburt Coleman (Shannon), LaShawn Drayton (Michael), William Golding III (Katie), Mychal Golding, Mikiela Johnson (Lorenzo), Jasper Cureton, Jr. (Sheena), Latoya Geiger, Dominque Cureton, Tyrell Simpson (Latisha), Kayla Simpson, Joseph Neville (Rochelle), Benjamin Nash (Jessenia) and Kirsten Nash; twenty-two great- grandchildren; two god children who lived in the home for some time, Titus Chapman and Maxine Reese, both of Columbia, SC and a host of nephews, nieces and other loving relatives and dear friends; all of whom will miss him dearly, but rejoice knowing that he is resting with the Lord.

Deacon James Cureton leaves his legacy to all:   “Do what is right and work for what is God.”

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