Princess Anne – Carl R. Widdowson passed away on Tuesday, January 18, 2022 at Manokin Manor with his family by his side.
Born March 14, 1938, he was the son of the late Neal and Louise Widdowson. He was a graduate of Washington High School in 1956 and was a U.S. Army veteran. Carl was proud to be a farmer all of his life. He was owner and operator of Widdowson Farms. He retired from Choptank Electric where he was a board member for 39 years – 30 years as Chairman of the Board. Carl was a member of the Somerset Ruritan Club, Princess Anne American Legion, Somerset County Farm Bureau, and First Baptist Church in Princess Anne, MD.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 62 years, Barbara Brittingham Widdowson.
He is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Vicki and Denny McLeod, son and daughter-in-law, Wayne and Leigh Ann Widdowson, grandchildren, Carli and Jason Beauchamp, Dustin and Megan McLeod, Kasey and Cameron Gardner, and Morgan Widdowson, great-grandchildren, Averi, Siera, and Lennon Beauchamp, Gavin and Easton McLeod, and Leighton and Hudson Gardner, brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Vaden and Faye Brittingham and several nieces and nephews.
The family wishes to thank all at Manokin Manor for all the love and care that was shown to Carl and his family.
A funeral service will be held at 2:00 P.M. on Friday, January 28, 2022 at Hinman Funeral Home, P.A. in Princess Anne, MD with a visitation one hour prior to the service. His son-in-law, Rev. Denny McLeod will officiate. Interment will be in St. Andrews Episcopal Cemetery in Princess Anne, MD
Due to the surge in Covid, masks are required.
Carl Widdowson was one of the nicest men I ever knew. I learned who he was from a distance during our high school years. He attended Washington High and drove hot cars. I attended Wicomico High and did not drive a hot car. That was one reason I looked up to him. He would also circle the Oaks Drive Inn with Barbara. She was another reason I looked up to him.
Years later, maybe 30, I got to know Carl much better during his many years as Chairman of the Choptank Electric Board of Directors. We worked together closely on many projects, shared many confidences, and became I’m proud to say, friends.
He was highly regarded by his fellow Directors and grew in prominence not only among regional cooperative organizations, but also on the national level holding various elected offices at the National Electric Cooperative Association.
Carl exhibited a special Eastern Shore brand of understated calm, and charm and wisdom. He could placate and pacify. He could bring these qualities to bear in a small formal meeting, or a over coffee with friends at Hardee’s, or at an annual meeting of 10,000 cooperative members in Nashville. He was always the same. That’s another reason I always looked up to him. I still do.
Edward G. Banks, Jr.
We got to know Carl on Sunday morning get togethers at the Hardee’s in Princess Anne. He and his son Wayne and a group of local men and a few ladies would gather there for coffee and a chat. Carl certainly enjoyed the camaraderie of the locals, spinning yarns of days and people past. He was a gentle man who we learned to admire. We were so sorry we were not able to attend his funeral and pay him the respect he so richly deserved.
-Jim and Joanne White