757.628.1000

Curtis Leon Whidbee


Sunrise: June 4, 1948

Sunset: August 27, 2022

After a lengthy illness, Curtis went to sleep in the arms of Jesus, Saturday, August 27, 2022, at Waterside Rehabilitation Center in Norfolk, VA.

Curtis was born in North Carolina to the late Mary Wright and Curtis Whidbee on June 4, 1948. He was reared by Mary and James Wright and his village was the late Woodrow and Willie “Dot” Whidbee.

He worked at Earl’s Market, Starr Foods and Belo Supermarket; and retired from Food Lion as a manager in 1996. He was a beloved Bingo Caller at local halls for many years. He loved to sing his favorite song “Country Road” prior to the start of a game. Curtis was also an avid Bid Whist card player.  He often played with his favorite group known as the Whist Gang (which came together in 1980), comprised of George Booth, LeRoy Smith (Rock), Jiles Walls (deceased), Bailey Anstead (his main partner), and John Pitchford. He played with the group at least once weekly and together they had a 37-year Superbowl Sunday streak, (1980 thru 2017), before his health began to fail. Curtis never lost a game because of his play, but because everyone else cheated.  He will surely be missed at the table.  We would also like to thank his good buddy, Victor Canty for always providing him with a good meal.

He is predeceased by his parents, Mary and James Wright, Aunt and Uncle Woodrow and Willie “Dot” Whidbee; Sisters, Betty Smith and Mattie Artis and brother-in-law Willis “PeeWee” Artis; Nephew Derwin Mills.

Curtis leaves to cherish his memory: a devoted wife, Mary of over 26 years; four daughters Krystal Whidbee of Maryland, Ebonie Morrison of Newport News, Trina Williams of Norfolk and Darvinia Nicholas of Portsmouth; a son, Victor Ingram of New York.  Also left to honor his memory are his  grandchildren, Fairon Kelly Williams, Wentford Williams, Sr., Neal Williams, Curtis Williams Sr. (Chantal), Julissa Ingram, Victoria Randall, Taj Ingram, Brandon Nicholas, Paris Booker; great grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.  He was affectionally known as “Uncle Brownie” and “Mule” to his special nieces and nephews, Anthony and Cornelius Artis, Willie Mills, Cynthia Ellis, and Tonya Mills.  Sisters-In-Law, Bessie Lawrence (Robert) of Chesapeake, Shirley Chatman of Norfolk, Mable Grayson of Solon, Ohio, Juanita Artis of Bowie, Maryland, Francine Peeples (James), Patricia Johnson (Lionel) of Virginia Beach, Louise Artis of Franklin and brother-in-law, Del Vaughan of Dayton, Ohio.

Memorial Service COME IN PERSON OR WATCH LIVE ONLINE Saturday, September 3, 2022 11:00am Metropolitan Funeral Service Portsmouth Chapel

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Condolences(15)

  1. reply
    Nita Eason says

    Curtis was a student of mine years ago. He was a fine young man.
    Nita Eason

  2. reply
    Elaine Edmonds says

    Our condolences to the family! May God give you all strength and peace of mind during this time and also beyond! Curtis played cards with my brother-in-law Leroy Smith. That is how we met him. He was a very kind and joyful man!
    Sincerely,
    Willie and Elaine Edmonds

  3. reply
    Pamela Anstead says

    RIH Curtis. Bailey will truly miss you. Thanks for the bond you and him shared for so long. I will always remember the Big Star Supermarket. You two were bag boys back then and you continued up the ladder gracefully.

    • reply
      JOANNETTA CANTY-KNIGHT says

      I DON’T EVEN KNOW WHERE TO START. THE MEMORIES OF YOU WITH THE CANTY FAMILY ARE UNFORGETTABLE. THE GOOD TIMES, THE LAUGHTER, THE SINGING, AND PLAYING BIDWIS. THIS IS A TOUGH ONE. MAY YOU REST IN PEACE MR. CURTIS WHIDBEE. I KNOW YOU WILL BE SINGING IN HEAVEN, AL GREEN, THE SPINNERS, AND THE TEDDY P. SONGS. I CAN SEE IT NOW. “THE CURTIS WHIDBEE CONCERT”. I REMEMBER EVERY TIME YOU WALKED THROUGH OUR FRONT DOOR YOU WOULD START SINGING AL GREEN AND MY MOTHER WOULD JUST MELT. LOL. HER FACE WOULD LIGHT UP. WE WILL MISS YOU DEARLY.

      • reply
        JOANNETTA CANTY-KNIGHT says

        I DON’T EVEN KNOW WHERE TO START. THE MEMORIES OF YOU WITH THE CANTY FAMILY ARE UNFORGETTABLE. THE GOOD TIMES, THE LAUGHTER, THE SINGING, AND PLAYING BIDWIS. THIS IS A TOUGH ONE. MAY YOU REST IN PEACE MR. CURTIS WHIDBEE. I KNOW YOU WILL BE SINGING IN HEAVEN, AL GREEN, THE SPINNERS, AND THE TEDDY P. SONGS. I CAN SEE IT NOW. “THE CURTIS WHIDBEE CONCERT”. I REMEMBER EVERY TIME YOU WALKED THROUGH OUR FRONT DOOR YOU WOULD START SINGING AL GREEN AND MY MOTHER WOULD JUST MELT. LOL. HER FACE WOULD LIGHT UP. WE WILL MISS YOU DEARLY.

    • reply
      Jo Anne Canty Wilson says

      Rest in heaven old family friend. For The Good Times ( AL Green )

  4. reply
    Jo Anne Canty Wilson says

    Rest in heaven old family friend. For The Good Times ( AL Green )

  5. reply
    Jacqueline Canty Armstrad says

    Rest in peace Curtis

  6. reply
    Jacqueline Canty Armstrad says

    Condolences to the family of Curtis Whidbee.

  7. reply
    Sabrina Edmonds says

    Mr Curtis you was a very special person. You will be missed by many.

  8. reply
    Victor imgram says

    To my Daddy My Twin thanks for the memories man and the teachings dad I will love and honor you forever dad love you AKA BROWNIE

    LOVE YOUR SON VICTOR

  9. reply
    Diane Carmack says

    You will be miss. Diane, Ebonie, Kyra and your great grandson Amari.

  10. reply
    Erianna Jones says

    I’m going to miss you Mr Curtis jokes, insults and all. Be sure to have my cheesecake ready when we meet again.

  11. reply
    Walt Green says

    Condolences and prayers to the Family, especially Mary and Krystal who was friends with my daughter. Curtis called Bingo for our organization, Norfolk Real Deal for many years which helped enabled us to help the community, mostly with our Track Club and Education Program.
    My brother, Curtis you are going to be missed. God Bless and R.I.P

  12. reply
    Cornelius "Pap" Artis says

    Thanks Uncle Brownie for being a part of me, Ant, Willie and Cynt lives you was always have us laughing when you tell jokes and you always used to wake me and Ant up out of our sleep and give us money and tell us don’t ask mom and dad for nothing. We will missed dearly rest in peace Unc

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