Dr. Curtis J. Way
(19350619 - 20210628)
Viewing Location: LEEVY'S FUNERAL HOME, TAYLOR STREET CHAPEL
Viewing Date & Time: TUESDAY, 07/06/2021, 2:00 P.M. - 6:00 P.M.
Funeral Location: LEEVY'S FUNERAL HOME CHAPEL AND LIVE STREAMED AT WWW.LEEVY.COM
Funeral Date & Time: WEDNESDAY, 07/07/2021, 12:00 P.M.
Interment Location:
Dr. Curtis J. Way was called home to be with the Lord on Monday, June 28, 2021, at a blessed age of 86. He was born June 19, 1935, to Reverend Stephen E. Way and Mother Vanilla George Way, (both preceded him in death), in the spot where Richland Memorial Hospital (Prisma Health) is today.
He was also preceded in death by: siblings, Joseph Lee, Charles Stephen, Louise Jeanette, Zellie Earl, and Olin Delano; three sons, Stephen T. Way, Dr. Curtis L. Way, and Khary Orr; and a daughter, Tonyell McDay.
Dr. Way was brought here by a midwife in a slave-like hut in a settlement known as Smith’s Quarters. It was a place where everyone had flourishing vegetable gardens, and they all got water from two opened wells with a bucket on a pulley rope. He often would reflect on his glorious memories of the place he labeled as “A Garden of Eden.”
From his Garden of Eden in Columbia, he could see from his hut home, a school…a school he knew he could never attend due to the color of his skin. That motivated him so that he went on to attend 29 years of schooling. He was a graduate of C. A. Johnson High School, Class of 1953. He attended Benedict College, and received his Bachelor of Arts Degree, Class of 1962. He later served on the Board of Trustees for Benedict College, and served as past National President of Benedict College Alumni. Dr. Way attended New York University, where he received his Master’s Degree in Public Administration, Class of 1970, and later his Doctorate Degree Class of 1978 in Public Administration. He used to say, “Before I turn 60, I will have been in school more than half my life.” He loved education and more importantly, educating, so much so he received his Teaching Certification from The Department of Education to teach Secondary School English and Social Studies. All this education from what he thought was because of his upbringing. He was always challenged by many people who would try to get him to quit. He did not. He had four degrees, a Bachelors, two Masters, and a Doctorate, but he also studied at schools like Fordham University and the New School of Social Research just for credits or non-degree studies. He had certifications in early childhood education; secondary education; government programs management; and was a successful program developer and founder of many community organizations. Dr. Way repeatedly said, “Anything learned is never wasted.” All his life he worked tirelessly to use everything he learned to help others and serve his community. That was a big part of him and his philanthropy, but he also gave money to help people and institutions. Dr. Way served as Assistant to the National Director of NAACP and was a Golden Heritage Life Member of NAACP. Along with all of that, he also served his country honorably in the United States Army. Dr. Way was also an avid oil and acrylic portrait painter but foremost, a Servant of God.
If Dr. Curtis Julius Way had a chance to say anything else at this, the end of his life’s journey, he would praise and thank God for a hard but good life. He would be grateful for the way God protected him during Jim Crow and the Civil Rights Era, in which he was so active. He would be grateful for the material things he had without ever worshiping materialism. He would be grateful to the people who loved and helped him. “God is Good,” he would say. He would say he believed the way he honored his mother and his father is the reason God kept his words and gave him a long life.
He would say to all of us to accept God’s Will upon his death even though we and he wanted life with us to be longer. He is survived by his oil and acrylic paintings, and all of us now. May he Rest in Peace. AMEN, AMEN, AMEN.
Dr. Curtis Julius Way leaves to celebrate his life: a brother, Carl Melvin Way, of Canton, Ohio; his children, Mr. Alvin M. (Francina B.) Way, of Mauldin, SC, Ms. Curtia Beth Orr, of Millburn, New Jersey, Mr. Derrick Haire, of Memphis, Tennessee, Ms. Crystal Dervin, of Washington, DC, and a daughter-in-law, Dr. Janis McCall-Way, of Columbia, SC; eight (8) grandchildren, five (5) great-grandchildren; and foru (4) great-great-grandchildren; and a host of other relatives and friends.
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Rest In Peace my friend , to the family my condolences from my family’s to your…
MAY GOD CONTINUE TO BLESS THE WAY,FAMILY, AMEN
Heartfelt gratitude for everyone, friends, associates, and indeed family members who helped make Dr. Curtis J. Way’s life easier over the past few years. Our family had a chance to meet some of you over the past few days. Special love, appreciation and pride for all the family members and friends who helped make the Homegoing Celebration for uncle Curtis a beautiful and fitting tribute. I know he would’ve been proud. Our family’s quintessential historian and “keeper of the flame” , if you will, has transitioned to his heavenly home. Much love….Rest easy, uncle Curtis! REST EASY!
Derrick, we are grieving along with you and praying that the Lord will comfort your heart and give you peace.
Our sincere condolences and prayers to Alvin Way and the family. My God give you peace and strength during this season. You’re always in our prayers. Pastor Carl Carl McCluney & New Harvest Ministries
Rest in heavenly peace to my Godfather Dr Curtis Way.
To Curtia and Family, Please accept our sincerest condolences in the passing of such a great man! What a legacy he leaves behind and such beautiful loved ones. May God give you comfort and peace in the days to come! We love you!
Dr way what’s my dear friend for over 50 years the family have my deepest condolence I will miss our text everyday and he rest in peace
I had the pleasure of meeting Dr. Way in Newark , NJ while he was heading up the Newark, NJ NAACP. Because of Curtis and many others in the Newark area ,I became involved with the Greater North Jersey Benedict Alumni Association and helped raised thousands of dollars annually for Benedict. We had lots of good times together. He was a good and generous man. My condolences to his family. God Bless and RIP, my friend.
I had the pleasure of meeting Dr. Way after I graduated from Benedict College in 1975. He instrumental in mentioning me during my tenure as Regional Vice President of the North Jersey Chapter of the Benedict College Alumni Association. My sincere condolences go out to the family. May he Rest In Peace.
Dr. Curtis Way a Man of that was not a complainer, but and explainer. A Man with an imagination that could paint a picture from remembering the yesterday, today and seeing the future. A lover animals and visionary for seeing to their wellness be given. Kind to the considerations of History with a master of words to help inform others of their right to information. Yes, a Person that Loved a Good Life and a sharer of Good times. Yes….Dr. Curtis Way…You are missed and remembered. May God continue to HEAL our FAMILY IN LOVE as we Celebrate your LIFE.
May the Lord bless our family continually with memories of Cuzn Dr. CJ,s words of wisdom. May he find rest in the those family members gone before. Peace and a sweet rest is with God is where we belong. RIP
Doc and I have been friends for a long time and also live close to each other,and also visited each other often he will be missed, God Bless The Family. Levonia L. Rodgers
I was truly saddened to learn of Dr Way’s passing. He was a remarkable and learned individual and will be missed. Praying that he is resting in the bosom of Abraham.
Going to miss you my cousin and my friend. I Will miss the stories and pictures that you would send me.🎈❤️
Rest In Peace Dr..Way
Mr curtis J Way was a very strong man a very wise man and he will truly be missed. I had the pleasure of taking care of him for 8 yrs. And he had becoame a great friend And I loved him dearly. So go on and rest my friend. To the family everything will be ok you loved him but god loved him more.
CJ as we called him was our first cousin. To the Way family ,we will continue to keep you in our prayers 🙏❤💙. Love to you all from the George and Stocker families.
It was a great pleasure and experience serving Doc, wishing I could have turned back the hands of time Tuesday and knocked on the window to say hello. My husband will ever be grateful in knowing you.
My sincere condolences. May you find comfort and peace in your time of bereavement.