Carla Gay Curran (Roberts), age 57, peacefully passed away on August 25, 2026, following a long journey in hospice care. In her final moments, she was surrounded by the love and comfort of her husband, her children, and other loved ones who remained by her side.

Carla was born on October 22, 1968, in Albion, Michigan, to Noah Roberts and Ilene Roberts (Ringle). The fourth and final daughter of the Roberts family, Carla arrived as a fiery redhead—and from the very beginning, she had a personality to match. She grew into a strong-willed, spirited woman with a larger-than-life personality, an unforgettable sense of humor, and a heart every bit as big as her presence. A resident of Homer for nearly all of her 57 short years on this earth, Carla was deeply rooted in the community she called home. She built a lifetime there filled with family, friendships, laughter, memories, and more than a few unforgettable stories. She could whistle louder than just about anyone—a sound her family could recognize anywhere—and she could fill a room just as easily with her personality and laughter.

In 1991, Carla met the love of her life, Joe Curran. The two married on May 6, 1994, joining not only their lives but their families. Carla brought two children into their marriage, Joe brought two, and together they welcomed a fifth, creating the family that would become the center of Carla’s world. Through the years, their family grew with spouses and grandchildren, and greatgrandchildren but Carla’s devotion to them never changed. For more than three decades, Carla and Joe built a life together filled with love, family, laughter, challenges, and countless memories. Through it all, Joe remained by her side, including throughout her final journey. Carla was simply unforgettable. Once you met her, you never forgot her. She loved the ID Channel, a good scary movie, good ol’ country music, and in recent years, anyone who visited or spoke with her by phone could almost always hear Jerry Springer or The Steve Wilkos Show playing loudly in the background. These little things were simply Carla—bold, funny, feisty, unapologetically herself, and always larger than life. She was never afraid to speak her mind or tell you exactly what she thought. Behind that fire, however, was an incredibly caring and giving woman. She loved deeply, gave generously, and was fiercely devoted to the people she called family and friends. Her hospice nurses and care providers quickly came to know the same Carla her family and friends had always known. They described her as feisty and truly one of a kind, and they grew to love her immensely. Carla was always real. She spoke her mind, told you exactly what she thought, and never spent much time worrying about whether anyone agreed with her or not. Even throughout her time in hospice, that fiery spirit never faded. She formed special bonds with those who cared for her and left the same unforgettable impression on them that she left on so many people throughout her life.

She is survived by her loving husband, Joseph Curran; her children, Robin (Lupe) Murray, Kayla (Patrick) Byrd-Daniels, Zachary (Sidney) Curran, Noah (Katrina) Byrd, and Joseph (Matthew) Curran; her beloved grandchildren, Noah, Rexford, Layla, Winston, Jordan, Eli, Landon, and Sawyer; her sisters, Izora (Brian) Pierce, Ramona Roberts, and LaDonna (Laci) Allen; as well as many extended family members and dear friends. Carla was preceded in death by her parents, Noah Roberts and Ilene Roberts (Ringle); her beloved grandson, Marquis Murray; and other cherished family members and dear friends who passed before her.

Carla’s 57 years were far too short, but she filled them with enough personality, laughter, love, and stories for a lifetime. For someone with such a larger-than-life personality, Carla found happiness in the simplest things. She never needed anything extravagant—just her family close, something good to watch on TV, plenty of laughter, and the comfort of being surrounded by the people she loved. Her voice, her laugh, that unmistakable whistle, and her fiery spirit will be deeply missed. Most of all, she will be remembered for the way she loved her family—with her whole heart, fiercely and unconditionally, in the uniquely unforgettable way that only Carla could. Her life was simple, but her love was enormous. Her family will carry that love, her laughter, and all the stories that came with being loved by Carla forever.

Please honor Carla’s memory with a gift to Heartland Hospice of Michigan. https://app.etapestry.com/onlineforms/GentivaFoundation/GHS.html

A memorial service celebrating Carla’s life will be held at the Homer Community House,112 W. Adams St., Homer, MI 49245, on Saturday, August 29, 2026, from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Please join us as we come together to celebrate Carla’s life, share memories and stories, and honor the laughter, love, and unforgettable spirit she brought to all who knew her.