Leo Yusef Abdulmalik

Leo was born Alfred Brantley Curtis, Jr., to Alfred Brantley Curtis, Sr. and Annabelle Sheldon Curtis, while his father was away serving in World War II, in Normandy, France.

Following the war, Leo's parents made their home in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Leo's early life was a tapestry of extended family, the saxophone, books, creativity, church, friends, and challenges. It was also during his childhood that he learned to appreciate the stories of his elders. Those family oral histories ignited his interest in researching centuries of the family's history and influenced his life's philosophies.

At the beginning of the Vietnam War, Leo left his college studies to join the Army. There, he would appreciate several aspects of military life and was introduced to Islam while serving abroad in Frankford, Germany. In the tradition of his great-grandfather, Ralph (O'Hegarty) Curtis, he would choose a new name steeped in meaning for his next chapter, Leo Yusef Abdulmalik.

After completing military service, Leo worked at the U.S. Printing Office, but left shortly after finishing the apprenticeship program to pursue several business ventures. Those businesses, culminated in an investment business. His philanthropy included being a Circles Member of the National Museum of Women in the Arts.

Leo remained passionate about learning. Among his favorite areas of interest were history, anthropology, philosophy, Arabic, economics and religion. He even added a self-studied Doctorate of Religion. He was also passionate about football. Until his last days, his life was evolving with a renewed focus, "the straight path," with family.

His journey included two marriages, to Betty Curtis and to Ann Abdulmalik Butler. The first union blessed him with two sons, Terrence C. Curtis and Pernell K. Curtis, and the second with one daughter, Tina Abdulmalik Curtis, Esq.

Leo leaves to cherish his memory his three children, Terrence (Rebekkah), Pernell (Zenaida), and Tina; his mother Annabelle Curtis; four grandchildren, Joel, Shannan, Thalia and Elon Curtis; one aunt, Francis Curtis; and many cousins from the Tibbs, Curtis and Tyson clans. He was preceded in death by his father, Alfred B. Curtis, Sr.; grandparents, Ralph and Bessie Tibbs Curtis and Mary Bell Carter Rankin; two uncles, Ralph Curtis (and spouse Della) and Nolan DePriest Curtis; one aunt, Arnita Curtis Baker (and spouse Eugene); and by his life partner, April Abdulmalik.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Leo Yusef Abdulmalik, please visit our floral store.