Mrs. Earnestine Curles

Earnestine Curles (Wells), 84, of Sykesville, MD passed away August 28, 2023. Earnestine was born August 12,1939 in Nashville, TN to the late Mary Lea Wells and Thomas E Wells. She was named for her Aunt Earnestine Lea Covington “Sister” who taught her from a young age, many of life’s lessons, especially how to cook. She lived in Franklin, TN before moving to Miami, FL where she met lifelong friend Barbara Wellbrook. Earnestine graduated from Coral Gables High School and began studies at the University of Miami where she met her future husband, Ralph Cosme. Upon his graduation, they moved to Newport News, located in the Hampton Roads region of VA, where they welcomed their first daughter Mary Ellen. Next moving to Cheverly, MD to be close to Ralph’s work at Goddard Space Flight Center, they welcomed another daughter, Suzanne (Susie). It wouldn’t be long before Mopsy was adopted, the first in a long line of treasured dogs and cats. Earnestine enjoyed her many years in Cheverly, meeting more dear friends including Wanda Witmer who turns 102 in January 2024. Earnestine was very active as a proud Girl Scout leader and was given the nickname “Owl Eyes” for her “cat eye” glass frames. She loved the Eagles – especially Hotel California. She was also always active in her church’s altar guild and at Fairhaven, took it upon herself to break down altar flowers after services and distribute them to residents who did not have family. She was an avid gardener as well as an accomplished seamstress for countless square dance dresses and doll clothes. After losing Ralph in 1996, she married James Preston (Woody) Curles. They moved to Fairhaven in Sykesville where they created a new garden together. Her survivors include her daughters, Mary Ellen Gropp (nee Cosme) and Suzanne Cosme; Woody’s children, Jamie and Scott Curles; and nephew, Tommy Anderson, as well as a host of other family and friends. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her Aunt “Sister”, a sister Elizabeth "Betsy" Anderson, a niece Becky, first husband Ralph, and second husband Woody. A Memorial Service will be held at Fairhaven Chapel on Wednesday, October 25th at 11:00AM. Interment of her cremated remains will be on Wednesday, October 25th at 2:30pm at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, 1110 St. Stephens Church Road, Crownsville, MD. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Fairhaven Chapel https://www.actsretirement.org/acts-benevolence/acts-legacy-foundation-ways-to-give/support-acts-legacy-foundation/ Select “Other” from the list of funds, and type in Fairhaven Spiritual Life. Online condolences may be offered at www.haightfuneralhome.com; details of the Memorial Service will also be posted there.

Mrs. Earnestine Curles

August 12, 1939 - August 28, 2023