Karen “Denise” Troxell Curtis, 67 of Godlthwaite, TX, passed away on June 16, 2023.
She was born July 1, 1955 in Dallas, TX to Ernest “Ernie” Troxell and Maurine Stringfellow Troxell. She married Fred Curtis on February 14, 1981.
She began her career in the financial field working as a cashier at White’s Auto in Dallas, TX as a teenager while working in high school. In 1980 she took a job with Associates Financial Corporation in Irving, TX. She worked her way up from a secretary to the Chief Assistant to the President of International Operations. In addition to keeping the president’s operations functioning smoothly, she was in charge of incentive programs for the International employees spread though out the free world. She traveled extensively in Europe, United States, Canada, Caribbean Islands, Australia, and Japan. While working these trips, she was allowed to have her husband accompany her to many of the destinations. In the early 2000’s, Associates Financial Corporation was purchased by Citi Bank and the travel continued until 2006. Then all operations were moved from Texas to New York, and Denise retired with over 25 years of service. She was unemployed for a total of three weeks. She was contacted by a company she
used to hire for her programs. She accepted the job and the air miles began to stack up again.
Due to health problems aggravated by continual air travel, she fully retired in 2013 and devoted herself to her home, gardening and other interest in Mills County, TX.
She was an avid hunter in her younger years, which is one of the reasons for moving to Mills County. She was an accomplished seamstress as a teenager and continued her sewing by joining the Poppy Mountain Church Quilting Ladies. They made many quilts for the sick and elderly as well as most of her family members. One of the projects she was very proud to be a part of was sewing lap quilts for the amputee veterans of the VA Hospital in Temple, TX. She was a long time board member of The Jenny Trent Dew Library and most recently voted as a
permanent board member.
Denise is survived by her husband, Fred Curtis of Goldthwaite, Texas; her daughter and son in law, Kimberly M. Goodwin & John of Forney, TX; her step children and spouses, Eric Curtis & Michelle of Fort Worth, TX, Kimberly C. McKeathan & Brian of Rockwall, TX; her grandchildren, Megan Curtis, Parker Sanders, Paige Sanders, and Zoe Goodwin; her siblings, Lisa Phelps & Andy of Alba, TX; Gina Ferguson & Scott of Rowlett, TX, and Traci L. Knight & Jeff of Canton, TX; and many nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents, Ernest “Ernie” Troxell & Maurine Stringfellow Troxell; her infant son, Casey Wood; and her sister, Sheryl Sutton.
At her request, there will not be a local memorial service. She will be buried at DallasFort Worth National Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made in Denise’s name to The Jenny Trent Dew Library, 1113 Fisher St, Goldthwaite, Texas 76844.
