Kenneth Dwight Hollowell of Murphy died Friday, Aug. 13, 2021, after a six-month battle with cancer.
He was preceded in death by his father, David Virgil Hollowell, and his mother, Jean Wiggins Hollowell.
He is survived by his sister, Deborah Hollowell Chilton and her husband, Delmer, of Brasstown; and his nephews, Lowell Chilton and wife Kate Drefke of New Berlin, Pa., and Joseph Chilton, wife Crystal Bryson and son Luke of Andrews; and his many Wiggins, Hollowell and Britt cousins. He is also survived by his longtime caregiver, Teresa Cline, her husband Thomas and son Zachary, as well as their extended family who included Dwight in their lives as one of their own.
Dwight was born in Goldsboro, and lived on the family farm until his mother’s death in 2006. He had autism, and in that time and place there were no services or educational opportunities open to him. His family accepted, loved and provided for him with open hearts and a deep faith that he was a gift to be cherished and cared for.
He was a gentle and endearing soul who taught others many life lessons about living in the moment, enjoying the simple pleasures of food and nature, and accepting others exactly as they are with no judgement and no fear. He also taught his cousins and nephews to guard their plates, because he would eat your food if you weren’t looking.
After diagnosis and treatment, Dwight was a devoted participant/employee of the Developmental Disabilities Program of Wayne County in Goldsboro, and, after 2008, of Industrial Opportunities Inc. in Andrews.
There will be a graveside service at 2 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 19, at Wayne Memorial Park in Goldsboro, where he will be laid to rest beside his mother and father.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers, contributions be made to either the Autism Society of North Carolina, 5121 Kingdom Way, Suite 100, Raleigh, NC 27607; or to Industrial Opportunities Inc., P.O. Box 1649, Andrews, NC 28901.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.seymourfuneralhome.com.