July 11, 96,
Kenneth Worth Wilkins, Sr., age 96, died Wednesday, July 11th in Goldsboro, NC, at Kitty Askins Hospice Center. He was born to Dr. John William Wilkins and Eva Jurney Wilkins in Mt Olive. Kenneth grew up there with his older brother William and best friend Morrison Smith. After graduating from Mt Olive High School, he attended UNC Chapel Hill studying medicine, finishing his MD at the University of Maryland.
Upon completion of his U.S. military service, he opened an obstetrics and gynecology practice in 1953 in Goldsboro. Kenneth delivered more than 10,000 babies during his career. He continued working after retirement at Wayne County Health Department as Medical Director.
While studying medicine in Maryland, he met Betty Brandt Snider of Salisbury, NC; they were married in 1953.
In addition to Betty, their five children and families survive him: Ken and Dru Wilkins, New Bern; Hannah and Charlie Rouse, Goldsboro; Brandt Wilkins and David Alexander, Denver, CO; Charles and Sandra Wilkins, Goldsboro; John and Pat Wilkins, Raleigh; thirteen grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren.
Also surviving are sister-in-law Betty Hughes Wilkins of Mt Olive and her children (Kenneth’s nephews) and families: Jay and Pam Wilkins, Apex; Doug and Geri Wilkins, Virginia Beach, VA; Billy and Barbara Wilkins, Goldsboro; Randall and Gina Wilkins, Wilmington; and cousins from Rose Hill: Jane Cherry, Davis, CA; Evelyn and Zach Cox, Raleigh; and John Steve and Mary Nelson Wilkins, Oklahoma City, OK.
The funeral service will be Thursday, July 12th at 11 a.m. at St. Paul United Methodist Church, 204 East Chestnut St., Goldsboro, NC 27530. Visitors are welcome after the service in the Fellowship Hall.
The Wilkins family extends its gratitude to Kenneth’s caregivers: Julia Russell, Brandy Fleece, Stacy Oliver, Janet Miller, Rosemary Manley, Johnnie Easley, Rhonda McKinney, Kelley Graham, and Shanika Lewis for their compassion.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Kenneth’s name to the St. Paul UMC Shepherds Fund.
Kenneth – known to many as Big Ken – stayed in constant contact with each of his children, grand children and many friends with an email every morning. Each message always ended with a rhyme. The first person to figure out the clue would win. He called it the Ink Stink. We offer the last one in his memory:
Inky Stinky: A dirty Peanuts character; A wonderful man who was loved by all.