A funny, loving, caring person.
Lacurtis A. Garner, or Maine, loved to make people laugh. He would tell fascinating tales, never letting anyone know if they were real or completely made up. The stories brought great humor and joy to his listeners. His sister Annesha recalls that “No one had a sad face around him. He would perk you up.” She also describes him as “a warrior.”
Along with Annesha, Maine had three other sisters, Ketis, Neicy, and Kurtisia, his mother, Tawana, step-father Jarome, and father Curtis. He also had a daughter, Meisha, and a granddaughter, Bella. Sadly, Lacurtis never got to meet his granddaughter as he passed a week before her birth.
Maine was a very caring human being. He had a special affinity for older adults and went out of his way to make them feel comfortable. He also displayed significant acts of kindness to others–even volunteering to protect a woman after someone had broken into her house. Although Maine was struggling with his own issues, he spent a night with a friend who was depressed and near suicide, talking with him, making him laugh and feel better about his situation. The friend says he will always remember that conversation and how it changed his life.
Maine was also skilled behind the wheel of a car. His sister maintains if it wasn’t for his struggles, he could have become a NASCAR driver!
Maine struggled with mental health issues, which were made worse by the drugs he took. His substance use disorder (SUD) caused him to isolate and lose weight. Some of the most painful aspects of Maine’s addiction were not hearing from him, seeing his addiction take over and losing himself to the drugs. Annesha recalls that at that point, “He wasn’t always that joyful person to be around anymore.”
Annesha had a substance use disorder as well. Her brother hated that she was on drugs and was proud of her for getting help and maintaining recovery. Maine’s experience, as well as her own, had a distinct impact upon her own recovery. She says, “It taught me not to be ashamed of my past drug addiction. To be more open and let others know there is help. We don’t have to suffer alone.”
What Annesha misses most about Maine is the sound of his voice, but she has some peace about his death, knowing that he is no longer suffering.
Maine’s sister, Annesha Garner, provided the information for this narrative.
February 20, 1981–July 25, 2020-Age 39
Portrait Artist: Shawn Faust
Narrative Writer: Justin Robertson
