As a longtime bit player and movie extra, 95-year-old Dalyce Curry hobnobbed with Hollywood A-listers and appeared in blockbuster films such as “The Blues Brothers” and “The Ten Commandments.” But in her starring role she was the matriarch of an extended, adoring family who affectionately called her “Momma D.” “Our beloved Momma D touched so many lives with her grace, love and resilience,” said her granddaughter, Lorée Beamer-Wilkinson of Fort Collins, Colorado. “She was full of vitality, elegance and an unmatched zest for life. Her presence graced our family gatherings, her wisdom guided us through challenges, and her laughter brought joy to every moment.” Born in Little Rock, Arkansas, in 1929, Curry relocated to Los Angeles, where her vocal and dancing skills caught the attention of some of Hollywood’s top Black actors and performers. She backed up singer Pearl Bailey and appeared in a scene with Diana Ross in “Lady Sings the Blues.” Dalyce”Momma D” Curry, who died in the Eaton fire, was a longtime Hollywood extra. (Photo courtesy of Lorée Beamer-Wilkinson) “She would have done a lot more in Hollywood but had high integrity and wasn’t going to sell out to become become a star,” Beamer-Wilkinson said, adding that her grandmother once refused a producer’s demand that she hike up her skirt to spice up a movie scene. Curry, who eventually settled for a nursing career, died alone in her small Altadena home after the Eaton fire tore through the community on the evening of Jan. 7. Curry had spent part of that day undergoing medical tests at an area hospital. Following the appointment, Dalyce Kelley, who is Beamer-Wilkinson’s half-sister, drove her home, arriving around midnight. Although flames were visible in the distant hills, the fire seemed to be far away from Curry’s residence. There was no evacuation order in place, so an exhausted Curry went to bed. She doesn’t text and was likely asleep when emergency notification messages were sent out telling residents to immediately leave the area, Beamer-Wilkinson said. Kelley, who requested that Curry’s neighbors alert her if there were evacuations, awoke to a group text around 5:30 a.m. the next morning asking whether her grandmother had made it out safely. Kelley raced frantically toward Altadena to find out if Curry was safe, but was blocked by law enforcement personnel. An officer told her Curry’s home had been destroyed, sending her to frantically check out evacuation centers and hospitals looking for her. Three days later, the Los Angeles County medical examiner confirmed to family members that Curry had died. She is among at least 27 people killed in the devastating Los Angeles-area wildfires. At least 36 people remain missing. Although all of Curry’s family mementos, including numerous scrapbooks, were destroyed in the blaze, one prized possession — a 1981 blue Cadillac parked in front of her home that she had planned to rehab and rent to Hollywood production companies — was unscathed. Beamer-Wilkinson — who only became acquainted with Curry in 2021 while attending the funeral of her biological father — whom she found through Ancestry DNA, said she wishes she had more time with her grandmother, who had one son, seven grandchildren and many great-grandchildren. Related Articles News | Some in Palisades, Eaton fire areas allowed to return home as winds subside, containment up News | Eaton fire destroys 3 generations of Altadena family’s homes News | More suspects linked to small fires are arrested and charged in LA County News | Rose Bowl becomes ‘home’ to thousands of first responders fighting Eaton fire News | How Inland Empire residents are helping Los Angeles-area fire victims “We became really close,” she said. “I’m saddened by the fact there is not the opportunity to continue that. I thought she was going to be around a lot longer and she did, too.” Beamer-Wilkinson, who is a motivational speaker, said she learned many valuable lessons from Curry in the short time she spent with her grandmother. “Kindness affects our lives,” she added. “She lived her life being kind and spreading positivity. She is a jewel and a blessing.” The family has launched a GoFundMe account to ease their financial burden and honor her memory The Associated Press contributed to this report.