Essie Lee Calvin

Essie Lee Calvin was born in Kinston, NC on September 15, 1941, to the late Elnora Mae Lawson and James S. Huggins.

She graduated and received her diploma from Adkin High School. In 1958 she met Connie Rae Calvin, an enlisted Airman First Class in the Air Force. Shortly thereafter, they married, traveled the country, and eventually settled down in Brooklyn, NY where she became a stay-at-home mother of three children. In 2018, after living her entire life in New York, Essie's family relocated her to Virginia Beach, VA. There she enjoyed a relaxed lifestyle closer to her oldest son and his wife. 

Essie, as the oldest of six, was the nucleus that fortified the bond amongst her siblings. She was instrumental in getting all of them from NC to NYC where more opportunities awaited each of them. In 1970, she pursued a career with The New York Telephone Company where she dedicated 21 years until she retired in 1991.

Essie was loving and kindhearted with the spiciest eye roll and juiciest smack of the teeth one has ever seen or heard. Once you learned not to take it personally…her stubborn and feisty nature were the things you loved most about her. She remembered every phone number, lottery number, birthday, and any other memorable (or mundane) event. She was an avid Bingo and Pokeno lover, traveling by multiple buses, trains, and planes, to play as many cards as would fit on the table in front of her. She found joy in introducing her grandchildren to the games, just so she could win back all the money she had given them to play. Essie was always a fun time and loved being around family & friends; as long as it didn’t interrupt her “Judge Judy Time.” She watched episodes multiples times and still, no one -- and we mean no one -- came between her and her Judge Judy.

Essie leaves to cherish her memory; her three Children: Jeffrey Calvin (Andrea), Anthony Calvin (Paula), Marian Parris Green; Sisters: Aleta “Faye” Huggins, Antoinette Huggins; Honorary Children:  Noella, Carmen, Mitchell, and Kenny; Nine grandchildren; Nine great grandchildren, as well as a host of nieces, nephews and extended family and friends. She is joining her Husband Connie Rae Calvin; Brothers: Alexander Huggins, James C. Huggins and Sister: Darlene Ennett (Larry).