Zaida Zimmerman Milhouse

Sumter, SC ….. Zaida Zimmerman Milhouse, beloved wife of 36 years to Donald Curles, passed away on Friday, January 30, 2026, at Prisma Health Tuomey.

Zaida was born on January 5, 1942, in Spartanburg, SC.  She attended high school at Greer High School, graduating in 1959, and went on to graduate in 1963 from college at Lander University. She also pursued studies at Furman University. Zaida spent the majority of her adult life in Orangeburg before later moving to Sumter.  She devoted many years to music ministry, becoming the Director of Music at St. George Baptist Church and at Highland Baptist Church. She also shared her passion for music as a teacher at Orangeburg Prep. A devoted Christian woman, Zaida, had a deep love for attending church, playing the piano and singing from old hymnals.  She cherished her family, beloved fur babies, and traveling, especially cruising. 

In addition to her husband, Donald, she is survived by three children, Cindy Turner (Bubba), Lisa Shaffer (Kurt), and Angela Adams (Tim); eight grandchildren, Ashley Secosky, Willam Flake (Sarah), Austin Griffith (Mary), Elizabeth Flake, Ethan Adams, Catherine Flake, Jacob Adams and Caleb Adams; three great grandchildren, Brody Secosky, Billy Flake, Anna Flake and an expected great granddaughter in March. 

In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her brother Hughlyn Zimmerman.

The family will receive friends on Saturday, February 21, 2026, from 1:00-2:00 pm at St. George Baptist Church in Orangeburg, SC.

A Celebration of Life Service will begin at 2:00 pm, on Saturday, February 21, 2026, in the St. George Baptist Church Sanctuary.

In honor of Zaida, the family requests that everyone wear red clothing, because it was her favorite color.

You may go to www.bullockfuneralhome.com and sign the family’s guest book.

The family has chosen Bullock Funeral Home for the arrangements.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Zaida Zimmerman Milhouse, please visit our floral store.