On Wednesday, May 31, 2017 at 12:39 AM, our beloved husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather, Theodore L. Whitehurst, Sr. slipped away to be with the Lord, with his family at his bedside.

He was born in Norfolk, Virginia on September 3, 1934 to the late Miles Whitehurst, Sr. and Roxie Bell Clagon Whitehurst. He received his early education in Norfolk Public Schools and subsequently graduated from Booker T. Washington High School in 1952. He accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior at an early age and joined Bethlehem Baptist Church in Norfolk. From 1955 to 1958, he served as an Infantryman in the United States Army. He was employed at Norfolk Southern Docks as a custodian, retiring after 20 years of service.

He married the love of his life, Ruth Mitchell Whitehurst and to their union, six children were born. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one son, Kelvin Whitehurst; one brother, Miles Whitehurst, Jr.; two sisters, Lorraine Jordan and Catherine Sampson; and one son-in-law, Ronald Frost.

Theodore was a "people person", who always strived to be kind and fair. He loved celebrating life and often joked with those around him. He also enjoyed family gatherings. He was a devoted husband and a loving father. He delighted in seeing his children participate in sports, especially football.

He leaves to cherish his memory, his wife of 58 years, Ruth Whitehurst of Norfolk, Virginia; three daughters, Selena Frost of Charlotte, North Carolina, Devonne Whitehurst and Ramona Whitehurst, both of Columbus, Ohio; two sons, Theodore Whitehurst, Jr. (Catherine Athorp) and Alton Whitehurst of Norfolk, Virginia; six grandchildren, Troy (Shonda), Kelvin, Jr., Darius, Isaiah, Ashley, Alana (Welton, II); four great grandchildren, Traquon, Kahlil, Aniyah and Alyse; one uncle, Leman Clagon; a daughter-in-law, Lynn Whitehurst; six sisters-in-law, Doris Armstead, Laverne Douglas, Yvonne Sutton (Jimi), Tanya Mitchell, Zoe Mitchell, and Francine Verdine; one brother-in-law, Reverend Nathaniel Mitchell (Lois); nieces, Jackie Maddox, Sandra Brown, Yvonne Gordon and Carolyn Horton; and nephew, Ronnie Whitehurst and a host of cousins, other relatives, and friends.