Curnekia has had great faith her whole life. Through her many trials, Curnekia has depended on God to overcome her hardships. She sought peace through different baptisms in different churches, and in the beginning of 2025, she was baptized again in a different church. However, she still felt there was something more.
Curnekia had sent in several online requests to meet with missionaries dating back to December 2024. But for various reasons, the missionaries were unable to maintain contact with her. Finally, on May 8th, she sent in a referral responding to the invitation, “Would you like to become the best version of yourself? Meet with the missionaries to find out how.” With that invitation, she began to meet with Elder Andrus and Elder O’Brien.
The missionaries invited her to church and she attended with her husband, Tim, and her 18 month old son, Timothy. Though she faced opposition in coming to church and had to leave early, she still stopped to pay her tithing. Curnekia has had great faith and she truly loves the Lord with all of her heart. The Elders ending up passing off Curnekia to the East Ridge Sisters because Curnekia and her family lived in their area.
Sister Brizzee and Sister Petersen decided while they were on an exchange to go by and visit her. Unfortunately, the door to her apartment complex was locked and there was no way for the sisters to get in. As they were walking away, Curnekia opened her window and yelled at them to come back. They had a very spiritual discussion with her about proper priesthood authority and difference between her previous baptisms and the baptism into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. When they asked her if she would be baptized again, but this time with the proper authority, her face broke into a smile and she said yes. Curnekia was more than willing to meet up with the sister missionaries almost daily until her baptism.
Curnekia was baptized on June 28th, 2025 as a member of the Chattanooga Ward. It was a very sweet, spirit filled day. Curnekia continues to be an example to all those around her. She attends church each Sunday, and pays her tithing. She loves God and her family and she is so excited for the next steps of her covenant path.
Barlows in TKM 