John Walcott Kay
John Walcott Kay | |
|---|---|
Kay circa 1920 | |
| Born | 1890 Weldon, North Carolina, U.S. |
| Died | March 6, 1927 (aged 36–37) |
| Resting place | Mount Hope Cemetery |
| Education | Shaw University |
| Occupation | physician |
| Spouse | Willie Virginia Otey (1915–1927; his death) |
| Children | 7 (including June Kay Campbell) |
| Relatives | Bill Campbell (grandson) Ralph Campbell Jr. (grandson) |
John Walcott Kay (1890–1927) was an African-American physician. He operated a medical practice in Wilmington, North Carolina and was one of the founders of the city's Community Hospital for African-Americans.
Early life and education
Kay was born in Weldon, North Carolina in 1890.[1] He attended Leonard Medical School at Shaw University in Raleigh, graduating with a medical degree in 1912.[1]
Career
After graduating from medical school, Kay moved to Wilmington, North Carolina to open up a medical practice.[2] In 1921, he co-founded Community Hospital, which was the city's first hospital to exclusively serve African-American residents, alongside A. J. Wilson, Foster Burnett, Willie Blount, and Boyd Paul.[2][3]
Personal life
While a student at Shaw University, Kay met Willie Virginia Otey.[4] They married in 1915.[5] They had seven children, two of which died in infancy.[2] One of his daughters, June, was a prominent civil rights activist. He was the grandfather of North Carolina State Auditor Ralph Campbell Jr. and Atlanta Mayor Bill Campbell.[1] Kay had a large Neoclassical house built in Wilmington, where the family lived until his death.[2]
He died on March 6, 1927, following an emergency surgery for a ruptured abdominal hernia, and was buried at Mount Hope Cemetery in Raleigh.[1][2] His widow and children moved to Raleigh upon his death.[2]
References
- ^ a b c d "Dr. John Walcott Kay". New Hanover County Public Library. Wilmington, North Carolina. Retrieved January 9, 2026.
- ^ a b c d e f "John Kay House 1921". Historical Marker Database. Retrieved January 9, 2026.
- ^ Pope, Justin Williams (January 29, 2017). "Community Hospital opened Feb. 1, 1921". Star-News. Wilmington, North Carolina. Retrieved January 9, 2026.
- ^ "A Family Affair". North Carolina Museum of History. Raleigh, North Carolina. Retrieved January 9, 2026.
- ^ "University Galleries, N.C. Museum of History to Host Costume Exhibition, "Made Especially for You by Willie Kay"". North Carolina A&T State University. Greensboro, North Carolina. October 15, 2021. Retrieved January 9, 2026.