In lieu of flowers, family and friends of Dr. Rebecca Turner Cureau who prefer to provide a memorial contribution may do so. The family will use these to honor Dr. Rebecca Turner Cureau's life and memory. Please continue to keep the family in your thoughts throughout this challenging time.
Dr. Rebecca Turner Cureau, age 96, loving wife, mother, sister, sister-in-law, aunt, friend, cousin, educator, lifelong mentor and advocate for the underserved, and affectionately known to all as “Becky”, passed away peacefully with her son, Harold Gilbert Cureau, Jr. and godchild, Cyril John Turner by her side at Baton Rouge General -Bluebonnet in the early morning hours of August 13, 2026. In her final days, she was surrounded and embraced by devoted and caring family members and loyal friends near and afar, who loved and adored her throughout her life.
Born in New Orleans, Louisiana on April 5, 1930, she was the daughter of Elvy Albert
Turner and Ethel Metz Turner. Despite her formative years in a segregated Southern city during and in the midst of the Great Depression, Dr. Cureau accepted the hardships from this era and used them as a catalyst which would chart the course for a successful and fulfilling journey throughout her life. These trying times would also empower her and provide the strength to overcome the challenges faced along the way.
Dr. Cureau, a native of a city known for and steeped in musical tradition, discovered her passion for music very early in life. She began singing around the piano at home and was influenced by her mother who sang in the church choir, and while doing chores and cooking in the family home. Dr. Cureau also followed the lead of older sisters who sang, as well as listening to the evening music shows on the radio or "Victrola", eventually learning piano and then the organ.
Dr. Cureau attended both Valena C. Jones Elementary School, then Mc Donough 35 high school in New Orleans, graduating as the Salutatorian. Dr. Cureau went on to Bennett College in Greensboro, North Carolina, where she obtained her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Music in 1953. She was an exchange student at Heidelberg College in Tiffin, Ohio in 1952, and the first such student from Bennett, before completing her Baccalaureate. Her time at Heidelberg not only helped to shape her academically but allowed her to participate in the burgeoning Civil Rights Movement while enroute to the college via passenger train. Dr. Cureau also participated in the desegregation of City Park in New Orleans and later, a few establishments in Baton Rouge, La. Dr. Cureau subsequently obtained a Master of Music from Northwestern University in 1954 and a Doctor of Arts from Atlanta University in 1987.
Dr. Cureau, who believed strongly in the power of education, began her professional academic journey at Clark College in Atlanta, Ga., where she served as Instructor of Music and then would proceed to teach at Dillard University in New Orleans, and finally at Southern University in Baton Rouge, where she served in various teaching and leadership positions for over 34 years, beginning as a Professor of Music and culminating in serving as the chair of the Visual and Performing Arts Department. Dr. Cureau's pride and joy at Southern was the Women’s Glee Club or Women’s Ensemble, which she directed from 1967 to 1984.
While at Southern, Dr. Cureau received a fellowship from the National Endowment for the Humanities in 1982 to study African American folk music at Spelman College in Atlanta, Ga. Dr. Cureau focused on the varied works of the late folklorist, musician and educator, Willis Laurence James, who served as the Director of Music at both Morehouse and Spelman Colleges. Dr. Cureau considered this intensive period of research one of, if not, the most prolific landmarks and achievements during her illustrious academic career.
Dr. Cureau’s allegiance to her Alma Mater Bennett over the decades forged lifelong friendships which remain to this day. Dr. Cureau made every effort over the years to attend as many class reunions and activities as possible with her beloved Bennett sisters, held in and around the campus in Greensboro, North Carolina.
Through the years, Dr. Cureau served as a guest lecturer, pianist, panelist, composer, organist and conductor at various colleges, universities, organizations and workshops across the United States.
Dr. Cureau was a member of Mu Phi Epsilon Professional Music Society, Phi Delta Kappa International Education Fraternity and the National Black Music Caucus. Dr. Cureau served on many boards, including the Sonneck Society, Society for American Music, the Du Bose Piano Foundation, Louisiana Public Radio (WRKF), and worked with the Center for Black Music Research and the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Center for Non-Violent Social Change.
Dr. Cureau’s passion did not stop at education, as she began attending the Unitarian Fellowship (Later Unitarian Church) of Baton Rouge in 1966 and immediately became a member, or as she preferred,” family” member for over 60 years. The church fostered an environment of inclusion, acceptance, diversity, as well as outreach and service to both the local and worldwide communities, which naturally prompted Dr. Cureau to join. This would in turn immensely shape her social conscious over the decades. Given Dr. Cureau’s passion for civil and human rights, it was indeed fitting for her to be an integral part of such an organization.
Dr. Cureau served in various capacities over the years in the church such as board member, search committee chair and member, building committee, caring committee, branches, church historian, pianist, organist and member of the Interfaith Federation of Baton Rouge. The Unitarian Church was more than just a place of worship for her, but a vessel of hope, a retreat and refuge, a place for positive change, a driving force in the fight for social justice, inflection, and a bridge to shared and universal respect and understanding amongst humanity.
Dr. Cureau was proud to say she had essentially worked alongside each minister at the church since joining, beginning with Reverend Edgar T. "Toby" Van Buren, to the current ministers, Reverend Nathan Ryan, and Reverend Meridith Barber. Dr. Cureau also worked with various interim ministers during periods of transition. Dr. Cureau also maintained a decades-long relationship with the Unitarian Church of New Orleans, which was at one time lead by Reverend Albert D’Orlando, a person that she admired and respected immensely and one who shared in her never-ending quest for civil rights and social justice.
We, her loving family, are eternally grateful to the Unitarian Church for not only accepting and embracing Dr. Cureau over the years but affording her the opportunity to use her leadership qualities to serve those in society who are overlooked and underserved. Most importantly, Dr. Cureau made many lifelong and lasting friendships within the congregation as well as leadership, from its founding to the present.
Dr. Cureau’s passion and involvement was with the La Capitale (LA) Chapter, The Links, Inc., a supportive and empowering organization of dedicated and professional women of color, where she participated in many events over the years, including volunteer service to the Baton Rouge community in various capacities. Dr. Cureau cherished both the volunteer opportunities, as well as the sisterhood and support network provided by the organization.
Dr. Cureau believed deeply and profoundly in service and social justice for others, as she was a supporter of various charitable and societal causes to the underrepresented such as the St. Vincent de Paul Society, Women’s Council of Greater Baton Rouge, St. Jude, Easter Seals, Boys Town, UNICEF and many others. Dr. Cureau was a committed advocate and proponent of human and civil rights throughout the course of her life, having been a long-time member and supporter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and the Urban League.
Dr. Cureau was extremely proud to witness an event she never thought she would in her lifetime, which was the inauguration of the first black President of the United States, Barack Hussien Obama in 2008. She participated in numerous activities during the inaugural weekend held in greater Washington. DC, and many joyous moments were shared with her son Gilbert, plus family and friends who gathered in the national capital region. Dr. Cureau stated that this was probably one of, among the many, happiest and most monumental times of her life. Her regret was that those that passed on before her were not here to see this once in a lifetime occurrence.
Dr. Cureau also traveled extensively, both for work and leisure with family through the decades and felt this was also a great source of educational experience outside of the walls of the classroom. Dr. Cureau’s most memorable journey was to South Africa, having toured one of the prisons that once held the late, great Nelson Mandela.
Naturally, Dr. Cureau’s academic, musical and other accomplishments were extraordinary, but those that knew her understood that her family was the epicenter of her existence and was proud to grow up in a close-knit family of 12 siblings and enjoy the company and support of many other family members.
Dr. Cureau was a devoted wife, partner, confidant and soulmate to her beloved husband, Harold G. Cureau, Sr., with whom she united in matrimony in August of 1958, shortly after meeting at Dillard University where he was a Professor of Art at the time. Together, they shared a remarkable love story built on mutual respect, support, faith and shared a passion as educators, love of nature, the arts and traveling the world. A brief time after their marriage, they relocated to Baton Rouge, La. to embark on their respective and longtime academic careers at Southern University, as well as establishing a permanent loving and warm home where they would raise their son, Gilbert, and entertain countless relatives and friends throughout the decades.
Dr. Cureau leaves behind a lasting and enduring legacy to her devoted son and only child, Harold Gilbert Cureau, Jr. and his wife, daughter-in-law, Heather Joy Cureau, both of Pennsylvania; siblings, a brother, Arthur Turner (Ruth Turner), of North Carolina; a brother Edward “Rudy” Turner (Gwen Turner) of Maryland and a sister, Louise Turner White of California; sisters- in- law Celestine Shepherd Turner of Louisiana; Glenette Tilley Turner of Illinois and many other devoted nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and neighbors.
Dr. Cureau was preceded in death by her cherished and loving husband, Harold Gilbert Cureau, Sr.; devoted parents, Elvy Albert Turner and Ethel Metz Turner; mother- in- law Viola Alexander Cureau, father-in-law Walter Cureau; brothers, Tilton Turner, Larry Turner, Albert Turner and adopted brother Charles Williams; sisters, Lillian Turner Vavasseur, Evelyn Turner, Elva Turner Pratt, Celina Turner Johnson and Marjorie Turner Brown; sisters- in- law Hilda Cureau Baham, Glenda Tillman Turner, Dorothy E. “Dot” Turner and Joy Strunk Richard; Aunt: Rebecca Cain, for which she was named and honorary sister, devoted lifelong friend and bonus aunt to Gilbert, Phyllis Riley.
Also preceding Dr. Cureau in death are brothers- in-law Emmanuel Baham, Victor Vavasseur Sr., Edward Pratt Sr., Elmer White, Mac Arthur Brown, John Johnson Sr. and Robert “Bobby” Richard; nieces, Geralyn Baham, Debra Baham Reid, Alisa White; nephews; Ronald Baham, Mark Turner, Keith Turner, Jerome Pratt, Edward Pratt Jr., Marcel Pratt Sr., John Wesley Johnson Jr., as well as numerous other relatives and friends.
The family would like to thank Dr. Janet Cook of Ochsner Health; Dr. Lance Lamotte and his team from the Baton Rouge General Hospital Cardiology Unit; Dr. Gerald Miletello, Oncologist at Our Lady of the Lake Hospital and other medical professionals who provided Dr. Cureau with the utmost care, compassion and comfort during her medical challenges through the years. To Dr. Cureau's friends and colleagues, particularly those at the Unitarian Church of Baton Rouge, Southern University, Bennett College, Spelman College, Dillard University and other academic and religious institutions she has worked with, as well as the sisterhood of the La Capitale (LA) Chapter, The Links, Inc., we will have eternal gratitude for the love, care and devotion displayed to her throughout the decades and into her last days and hours.
A celebration of Dr. Cureau’s life will be conducted at the Unitarian Church of Baton Rouge in the coming months. Details will be announced on the Church Funeral Services and Crematory website as they develop.
www.churchfuneralservices.com. Please periodically check the website for future updates.
Per Dr. Cureau’s wishes and in lieu of flowers, she desired that donations be made to a charitable organization, academic institution or social cause of individual choice.