Dorothy Ann (Young) Hodgkins

Dorothy Ann Young Hodgkins, 90, of Clayton passed away Friday, August 24, 2018 at Brian Center Health & Rehab, Clayton, NC. Dorothy is preceded in death by her parents James Frederick and Ethel Hogan Young.

Dorothy was born on September 16, 1927 in Roanoke, VA to Ethel Annual Hogan Young and James Frederick Young.  After high school, while working to convert military script to cash for soldiers returning from WWII, she was encouraged to study Psychology, earning her BS at the College of William & Mary.  With these skills, she worked in the Occupational Therapy section of Eastern State Hospital in Williamsburg, VA, and later as supervisor of volunteers at Norfolk General Hospital.

During her seven year marriage to Nelson B. Hodgkins, she was a housewife and gave birth to two sons.  Moving to Kinston, NC in late 1965, she was the first psychologist hired by Kinston City Schools.  She participated in the state program setting mental health goals for the area, prior to the first mental health clinic opening in Kinston.  Once this clinic opened, she became the liaison between the clinic and the Kinston City Schools.  She also served seven years on the Lenoir County Mental Health Board.

Federal block grant cuts to the states meant a move from the Kinston City Schools to Caswell Center for the Mentally Retarded, in Kinston. There, she advocated for resident’s rights. One of her favorite achievements was discovering ‘Richard’, who was inappropriately placed. She worked with his teachers, social worker, and his uncle to transition him to the community. During this time, she was a member of the International Reading Association – Eastern District.  She was a member of Delta Kappa Gamma – Sigma Chapter for educators and is a past president.  Her last service was seven years on the Human Rights Committee of Nova Behavioral Healthcare in Goldsboro, NC. Beyond serving on a committee, she became a guardian for a resident, ‘Eddie’, after he transitioned to a community group home. They enjoyed this special relationship until late 2017. Changing career requirements encouraged her to earn a MEd in Counseling at East Carolina University.  She subsequently worked under contract with Lenoir County Schools, at South Lenoir High School.  She later was an Adjunct Professor of Psychology at Lenoir Community College, Kinston NC.

She is survived by two sons, Stephen B. Hodgkins (Carolyn) of Knightdale, NC and David P. Hodgkins (Elizabeth) of Farmville, NC.  She has three grandsons Andrew Hodgkins (Katie) of Apex, William Hodgkins of Washington DC, and Michael Williams (April) of Willow Spring, NC.  She has one great-grandson, Connor Williams. Three other “family” members are Robert and Loretta Clark of Greenville, and Eddie Gibbs of La Grange.

Visitation will be held at Howard-Carter Funeral Home, Wednesday, August 29, 2018 at 6:00pm with a memorial service to follow at 7:00pm.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to your local food bank.