Family, friends and others in the Orlando community are morning the loss of 85-year-old Lucy Pat Curl, a long-time pastor’s wife who died after being attacked Jan. 31 during a home invasion. She died Wednesday morning (Feb. 5).
Curl served alongside her husband, Bill, who worked in pastoral care ministry at First Baptist Church Orlando, and the couple previously were missionaries with the International Mission Board.
Ronald D. Davis, 55, has been charged with first-degree murder after allegedly attacking Curl while her husband, Bill, was away working. In addition to the murder charge, Davis also faces home invasion robbery with a weapon, aggravated battery on a person over 65 with great bodily harm, and aggravated battery with a weapon. Davis, who reportedly posed as a community service officer and had been recently released from prison, allegedly stole jewelry and other items before his arrest the following morning.
The Curl family released the following statement:
On Tuesday, Lucy Pat was taken off life support. She went on to Heaven early this morning. We rejoice that she is no longer in pain.
The circumstances of her passing are shocking and abrupt, and not what we would have expected or chosen. But as our Lord has forgiven us, we are asked to forgive each other.
At one point, Bill (her husband) took her picture before the results of the attack had been cleaned up. When asked what he would do with a picture like that, his response was, “I’m going to show it to the man who did this to her. Then I’m going to forgive him. I refuse to let his actions dictate who I am.” So we would ask for you to do the same.
Please respect the family’s privacy as we begin to figure out what life after Lucy Pat looks like. We request and appreciate your prayers.
Her celebration service will be on Sunday, February 16, at 4:00pm at First Baptist Church of Orlando.
In Christ,
The Curl Extended Family
Strong faith
Curl was a longtime servant at FBC Orlando, where the couple served for 18 years. Prior to that, they had served for 18 years with the International Mission Board in London and Wales. Curl often played the piano at funerals, supporting her husband’s grief counseling ministry.
Despite the tragedy, Bill Curl held strong to his faith, saying, “God is good.”
For more related headlines, see links below:
Lucy Pat Curl, wife of First Baptist Orlando pastor, dies after beating in home invasion —The Christian Post
First Orlando continues prayer for pastor’s wife after attack —Baptist Press
Wife of Orlando Pastor not expected to recover from attack —Spectrum News 13
‘A tough lady, beautiful lady:’ Police now investigating case as homicide after Orlando pastor’s wife dies —News 6 WKMG
EDITOR’S NOTE — This story was compiled by The Baptist Paper, with reporting by Baptist Press.
