Debra "Debbie" Wilkins | Eastern North Carolina Now

    Debra "Debbie" Wilkins, born May 30, 1957, a beloved sister, wife, and mentor to many, passed away on February 7, 2025. Debbie, owner of the Crab Ranch and Debra's Soft Crabs, Inc., earned the title "queen of the soft crabs," known from up and down the Eastern Seaboard for her expertise in the seafood industry. In her later years, she became the heart of Belhaven's social scene, running "The Belhaven Pool Room" for the past six years, where she was voted "Best in the Pamlico" for bartending.

    Debbie is survived by her devoted husband of 16 years, Curtis Wilkins of Pamlico Beach, NC; her loving sisters, Kelley Brooks Franks of Bath, NC and Lorri Brooks Moree of Williamston, NC. She was preceded in death by her first husband, Bobby James Cutler, who passed away in 2007 after a battle with cancer; her sister, Dawne M. Credle, in 2013; her brother, Raymond Peter "Ray-Ray" Brooks Jr., in 2010; her father, Raymond Peter Brooks Sr., in 2002; and her mother, Barbara Brooks Barr, in 2020.

    Though she never had children of her own, Debbie raised a generation of hardworking individuals at the Crab Ranch, instilling in them the value of dedication and perseverance. She was a mentor, a friend, and a mother figure to many, shaping the lives of those who worked and enjoyed life alongside her. Debbie was the definition of resilience, a woman who found purpose in hard work and joy in the company of those around her.

    Friends and family, my work here is done! I have lived a life of strength, perseverance, and passion. From the shores of Florida to the shores of North Creek, and to the bustling seafood markets along the coast, my legacy will live on in the hands of those who learned a little something from me. The days of cleaning soft crabs and serving drinks are behind me, but I leave you all with memories of laughter, long nights, and hard-earned successes.

    Life is about timing, effort, and the people you choose to keep close. I faced my share of hardships, but I never let them define me. I built businesses from the ground up, provided for my family, and lived a life on my own terms. For those who knew me well, you know I never backed down from a challenge. I ask that you all take a piece of that strength with you.

    To my dear husband, Curtis - you have been my rock, my love, and my partner in crime. Keep my memory alive in the laughter of our shared stories and the warmth of the place we called home. To my sisters, Kelley and Lorri - keep our family strong, just as Mama and Daddy would have wanted. To the countless people I worked with, taught, helped raise and mentored - don't forget the lessons I passed down. Hard work never hurt anybody, and a little grit will take you far.

    As I write this, I can hear the sound of soft crabs hitting the fryer and the hum of good conversation filling the air. I'm pulling up a chair, raising a glass, and finally taking a break. Don't cry too much for me - instead, keep living, keep laughing, and keep working hard. And if you ever find yourself reminiscing over a cold drink at The Pool Room, know that I'm right there with you, smiling.

    Raise a glass, steam a batch of crabs, and celebrate the life I lived. I wouldn't have wanted it any other way. Until we meet again - Love, Debbie.

    In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Debbie's memory to a cause that supports small business owners, as she was a champion of those who worked hard to make a living.

    Paul Funeral Home & Crematory of Washington is serving the Wilkins family.