Key Takeaways:

• Dalyce Curry, known as “Momma Dee,” was a 95-year-old actress and grandmother who lost her life in the California wildfires.
• Curry had ties to old Hollywood, appearing in films including “The Ten Commandments” and “Lady Sings the Blues.”
• Her family has faced immense grief and is calling for better emergency responses for the elderly.
• Curry’s granddaughter had dropped her off shortly before an evacuation order, not realizing the impending danger.
• A GoFundMe campaign has been launched to assist with funeral expenses for Curry and support the family.

A devastating fire engulfed the Altadena neighborhood of California, claiming the life of Dalyce Curry, a beloved 95-year-old grandmother and a lesser-known figure of Hollywood's yesteryears. Referred to as “Momma Dee” by her family, Curry was remembered for her vibrant spirit and glamorous style, which remained evident up until her final days.

Born in 1929 in Little Rock, Arkansas, Curry moved to Los Angeles with dreams of making it in entertainment. She became an extra in films such as The Ten Commandments and Lady Sings the Blues, and was mentored by pioneering actress Madame Sul-Te-Wan, marking her footprint in the world of cinema. Her granddaughter, Dalyce Kelley, shared, “She always had a fascination with the arts, so she instilled the arts in me,” highlighting the profound impact Curry had on her family.

On January 7, Kelley, who served as Curry's caregiver, dropped her off after a day filled with medical appointments. Despite spotting wildfire smoke during their drive, they dismissed it as a distant threat, unaware that an evacuation order would soon follow. That night, Kelley communicated in a neighborhood text group to check on her grandmother, but when she awoke the next morning to find out that an evacuation had been executed, it was already too late. “I’m sorry, ma’am,” a police officer informed Kelley, “Your grandmother’s home is all burned. It’s gone” (Los Angeles Times).

Following the tragic loss, the family has come to terms with the devastation. The only items that survived the blaze were Curry’s classic 1981 Cadillac and a handful of household items, while countless family mementos, including pictures spanning nine decades, were lost forever. Kelley was devastated that her grandmother's ashes would not only be the only remaining memories but that they had been hosted in a home that held generations of history and love.

Kelley, reflecting on her late grandmother's character, recounted her signature phrase, “Nothing is as bad as it seems, even at its worst.” This mantra echoes poignantly as the family works to come to terms with their loss while advocating for better emergency measures, particularly for vulnerable populations like the elderly who are often left behind in crises.

As part of their healing journey, the family has initiated a GoFundMe campaign to help cover funeral and memorial expenses, urging community support for those impacted by the fires. Kelley emphasized the need for awareness and better preparedness for emergencies, particularly for those less technologically equipped. “There was a text about the evacuation warning, but I heard that by the time they got the evacuation text, embers were already falling from the sky,” she lamented.

The tragic loss of Dalyce Curry serves as a reminder of the ongoing impacts of natural disasters and shines a light on the critical need for improved communications during emergencies.