Candace S. Hubbard

Virginia Beach - Candace Stephanie Hubbard was welcomed into the arms of her savior on her 65th birthday, April 4, 2016, after a two and a half year journey with ovarian cancer. Candy was born in Baltimore, MD in 1951 to the late Gilbert and Stephanie Stecker. Survived by husband, George Wilkins Hubbard II; daughter, Courtney Starr and husband Timothy; grandsons, Taylor, William, and Benjamin; sister, Pamela Fish and husband James; nephew, Cory Hippler and wife Emily and their children, Mason and Quincy; sister, Tracy Martin and husband Jeffrey; niece, Jadyn; and mother in-law, Edna Marie Hubbard Sutton.

Wilkins was smitten by his “bride-to-be” while in college and continued to fall in love over and over again during their marriage of forty years. They wed on December 28, 1975. They lived in Charlottesville, Va while Wilkins completed surgical training and they made lifelong friends and welcomed their only child, Courtney, in 1980. Shortly thereafter, they moved to Norfolk, Va where Wilkins joined Norfolk Surgical Group. She supported him throughout his career with mentorship and Godly wisdom, enjoying the many professional relationships that they developed together.

Candy had three main loves of her life - the Lord first, her family and her horses competing for second. Candy was a woman of strong spiritual faith. Her relationship with the Lord was undeniable. Since accepting Christ as her savior in 1985, Candy spent her life studying the Bible, sharing and living the goodness of Christ with others. Her passion for Jesus was infectious. She loved to travel, and her favorite destination was Israel. The family worships at First Baptist Church of Norfolk. Candy was involved with many outreach ministries most recently, “Healing the Hurts.” She opened up her home for teaching and mentorship, a place of joy-filled gatherings and a respite for many.

She was a devoted mother and cherished her role as a grandmother with her famous quote “if the ox stall’s clean, there ain’t no ox”. She embraced the “pandemonium” of a full house with open arms and a joyful spirit. She enjoyed visiting her grandsons in Charlottesville, cheering them on during swim meets, soccer games, and attending their school functions. She enjoyed their early morning “snuggle time,” watching Star Wars with them late into the night, and family vacations.

Candy inherited her love of horsemanship from her father. She was an accomplished equestrian, and was most at home at the barn or in the saddle. She had a close bond with all her horses, but she developed a unique and special bond with her beloved “Ben”. Her understanding of people was tied closely to her understanding of horses. Her physical strength and stamina was a result of years of horseback riding. Her faithful riding friends, including “The Fossils,” bonded by their love of God’s animals, cared for and encouraged her and Ben throughout the trials of her illness.

She met all with an infectious smile, melting laughter, absence of judgement and loving acceptance. Candy has run her race and she has won. May God be the glory, great things He has done!

Dr. Hubbard and family wish to express heartfelt thanks to Dr. Michael McCollum and Virginia Oncology. Also thanks to the colleagues and staff of Norfolk Surgical Group and Sentara Surgical Specialists, and to their second family at Sentara Leigh Hospital, notably “Mo’s” nurses and care providers on 5 East, the radiology team, the operating room staff, the endoscopy unit, and the many friends who came alongside them during the course of Candy’s illness.

A celebration of Candy’s life will be held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, April 9, 2016, at First Baptist Church of Norfolk, 312 Kempsville Rd, Norfolk, VA. Officiating the service will be Pastor Eric Thomas and Dr. Ken Hemphill. Reception will follow in the Fellowship Hall. You may offer condolences to the family at www.kellumfuneralhome.com.

In lieu of flowers, contributions to a charity supporting the work of Christ in healing relationships, cancer research or equestrian therapy for the challenged is suggested.