At the age of 95, Dalyce Curry, fondly known as “Momma Dee” to her family, left an indelible mark on everyone who knew her. With her signature big hair, impeccable makeup, and striking nails, she was a true example of what it meant to be fabulous.
Her granddaughter, Dalyce Kelley, recalled, “She still had that big hair, her glasses, nails, and always had her makeup done. She was just fabulous—period.”
Born in Little Rock, Arkansas, in 1929, Curry’s vibrant personality was destined to take her to Hollywood. While she never quite reached the heights of fame, she was part of the magic of old Hollywood, mingling with icons and working behind the scenes. She had the privilege of backing up legendary singer Pearl Bailey, appeared as an extra alongside Diana Ross in Lady Sings the Blues, and even had the mentorship of Madame Sul-Te-Wan, the first Black woman to ever sign a film contract.
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But despite these connections to Hollywood, Curry’s later years were spent in Altadena, where her life came to an unexpected and tragic end during the recent Eaton Fire.
The night before the fire, Kelley dropped her grandmother off at her home after a day of medical tests. While driving through the neighborhood, they could see the fire in the distance, and although the power had gone out nearby, there was no immediate sign of danger in her grandmother’s area. They spoke briefly, and Kelley promised to check in later, asking someone in a neighborhood text group to keep her updated about evacuations.
The following morning, Kelley awoke to a message asking if her grandmother had gotten out during the night’s evacuation. In a panic, Kelley rushed to Altadena but was stopped at a police barricade. An officer soon called her, breaking the news that Curry’s home had been destroyed in the fire. Frantically, Kelley searched shelters for her grandmother, but after four agonizing days, the Los Angeles County Coroner’s office confirmed her worst fear—Curry was one of at least 25 victims lost in the devastating fire.
Curry’s family lost not just a beloved matriarch, but decades of cherished memories. Photos from nine decades were gone, reduced to ash in the flames.
However, there was one piece of her grandmother’s legacy that survived—the 1981 midnight blue Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham. Though it hadn’t been running for some time, Curry had plans to restore it and rent it out to film production companies making period pieces set in the 1980s.
The Cadillac wasn’t the only connection to the film world. In the early 1950s, while visiting a Los Angeles beauty salon, Curry formed a friendship with Nellie Crawford, also known as Madame Sul-Te-Wan. A pioneering figure, Crawford was the first Black woman to sign a movie contract and appeared in significant films such as Birth of a Nation. Upon learning of Curry’s aspirations in the arts, Crawford took her under her wing, mentoring her in both theater and film.
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Thanks to Crawford’s guidance, Curry worked as an extra in epic films like The Ten Commandments and Lady Sings the Blues, and she even performed with Pearl Bailey in venues across the United States.
Later in life, Curry became a nurse, working in convalescent homes and providing private care. She had one son and was the proud grandmother to seven grandchildren, with numerous great-grandchildren.
Kelley fondly remembers her grandmother’s wisdom and strength. “Her positivity, energy, and strength were unmatched,” she said. “She had a phrase she lived by: ‘Nothing is as bad as it seems, even at its worst.’ It’s something I think everyone can take to heart, especially those affected by this tragedy.”
In her passing, Dalyce “Momma Dee” Curry leaves behind not just a rich history in Hollywood, but a legacy of resilience, joy, and love that will continue to inspire her family and all who knew her.
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