Lowry Curtis "Curt" Steele, Jr.

Lowry Curtis "Curt" Steele, Jr., age 84, passed away Friday, April 17, 2026 at the AMG Specialty Hospital in Batesville, Mississippi.

A memorial service to celebrate Curt's life will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 21, 2026 in the Martin Willingham Memorial Chapel of Wells Funeral Home. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service.

Curt was born on March 3, 1942 in Washington, D.C. to the late Lowry Curtis Steele, Sr. and Louise Elizabeth McCullar Steele.

Curt’s early years were shaped by his courageous battle with Polio during elementary school. Despite the challenges this brought, he faced his condition with a tenacity that his friends admired about him. Known fondly for his playful antics—whether attempting to race his friends in a wheelchair or to trip them with his crutches—Curt never let adversity define him. By high school, he was marching in the band while playing the trombone, a testament to his resilient spirit and dedication.

As an entrepreneur, Curt was the former owner of Curt's Barbecue in Batesville, a cherished local establishment that served as a popular gathering spot throughout the late 1960s and into the early 1980s. His commitment to the community extended beyond his restaurant as he later joined Taylor Lumber Company in Batesville, contributing to the local economy and workforce. Known as a true "people person," Curt treasured his many friends and neighbors, embodying warmth and camaraderie in every interaction.

His passions included hunting and fishing, with a special enthusiasm for duck and bird hunting—a pastime that brought him joy and connection to the outdoors. Curt also loved traveling to Texas to visit with his son, and ride along with him on his welding jobs.

Curt is survived by his son, Brian Steele of Spring, Texas, and his two grandsons, Steven Stansel and Adam Stansel, who carry forward his legacy. He was also lovingly cared for by longtime caregivers and family friends Polly Coe and Clarence McCullar, both of Lambert, Mississippi.

He was preceded in death by his two sisters, Frances Merle and Ruth Ann Steele.