Curtis Gilbert Sands

.A celebration of life for Mr. Curtis Gilbert Sands was held on Saturday, Dec. 3, 2016 at St. James AME Church, 514 Funderburg Drive in Monticello.

Rev. Donna Marie Calix, is church pastor; Rev. Timothy Sands delivered the eulogy. Burial was at Kings Chapel Church Cemetery in Hillsboro.

Curtis Gilbert Sands entered into rest November 29, 2016 at The Retreat Nursing Home, Monticello. He was born April 1, 1953 to the parentage of the late Lucian Sr. and Geraldine Gainey Sands. He was educated in the Jasper County School System. After High School, Curtis entered the Pine Knott, Ky. Job Corps. After returning to Monticello, he was employed at Monticello Red & White Grocery Store.

Curtis met and married Gwendolyn Holmes. To this union, one daughter was born, Martha Felisha Sands. He helped raise, Michael Finderson, Katon Finderson and Yolanda Finderson Goldsmith.

Curtis later was employed with the Monticello Construction Company until his health declined in 2004. Curtis joined King’s Chapel Church the third Sunday in May 1979, under the leadership of Rev. E. M. Swift. He sang in the choir and helped install the baptism pool. Curtis will always be remembered for playing sports, football, baseball, basketball, table tennis and pitching horse shoes. He was a person that always made friends.

Curtis was preceded in death by his parents, ex-wife, Gwendolyn Holmes Sands Roach; two brothers, Lucian Sands, Jr., and Marvin E. Sands, Sr.; sister, Christine Sands Lambert; sister-in-law, Dorothy L. Sands; three brothers-in-law, Jessie L. Smith, Victor Lambert, Jr., and Clarence Kelly.

He leaves to cherish his memories, daughter, Martha Felisha Sands, Conyers; sisters, Drucilla Sands Barron (Danny) of Monticello, Evelyn Sands Smith of Stockbridge, and Mary Sands Kelly of Landover, MD; two brothers: John L. Sands, Sr. (Margaret) of Atlanta, and Thaddeus Glenn Sands (Linda) of Augusta; special niece, Tonia Russell.

Also surviving are a very special companion of 25 years, Valerie Smith of Jackson; aunt, Mrs. Martha Gainey of Monticello; four special friends, Ulysses Carter and Hilliard Jordan, both of Monticello, Mr. and Mrs. Roger Stewart of Jackson, and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Smith and Sons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements; www.Smithandsonsfuneralhomemonticelloga.com, 706-468-6625.