The recent devastating wildfires in California claimed the life of 95-year-old Dalyce Curry, affectionately known as “Momma Dee,” a woman whose life story intertwined with the golden age of Hollywood. Described by her granddaughter, Dalyce Kelley, as “fabulous,” Curry was known for her vibrant personality, always impeccably dressed with her signature big hair, glasses, and makeup.
Born in 1929 in Little Rock, Arkansas, Curry’s larger-than-life personality led her to Los Angeles, where she became part of the vibrant world of old Hollywood. While she never achieved superstardom herself, she crossed paths with notable figures, including backing up singer Pearl Bailey, appearing as an extra alongside Diana Ross in “Lady Sings the Blues,” and, most significantly, being mentored by Nellie Crawford, also known as Madame Sul-Te-Wan. Crawford was a pioneering figure, the first Black woman to sign a movie contract, and she became a mentor and godmother to Curry after they met at a Los Angeles beauty salon in the early 1950s.
This mentorship opened doors for Curry, leading to extra roles in films like “The Ten Commandments” (1956), where she performed in a dance scene before the king, as well as later appearances in “Lady Sings the Blues” and “The Blues Brothers.” She also toured as a backing singer and dancer for Pearl Bailey.
Tragically, Curry lost her life in the recent Eaton Fire that swept through Altadena. Her granddaughter had dropped her off at home late the night before after a hospital visit for dizziness. While they noticed the distant fire and a local power outage, Curry’s immediate neighborhood had power and appeared safe. Kelley left after arranging for neighbors to contact her in case of evacuations. She awoke the next morning to urgent messages about evacuations and rushed to Altadena, only to find police barricades and the devastating news that her grandmother’s cottage had been completely destroyed. After a four-day search, the family received confirmation from the Los Angeles Coroner’s office that Curry was among the fire’s victims, one of at least 25 lives lost in the catastrophic fires.
The fire also destroyed all of the family’s treasured mementos, including photos spanning nine decades of Curry’s life. The only item to survive was a non-running 1981 midnight blue Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham, which Curry had hoped to restore and rent out to film productions.
Beyond her Hollywood connections, Curry later dedicated her life to nursing, working in convalescent homes and providing private care. She is survived by her son, seven grandchildren, and numerous great-grandchildren. Kelley remembers her grandmother’s unwavering positivity, energy, strength, and her favorite saying: “Nothing is as bad as it seems, even at its worst.” This message of resilience, even in the face of immense loss, is a powerful legacy left by a woman whose life touched both the glamour of old Hollywood and the everyday lives of those she cared for.
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