Friday, April 25, 2025

Celebration of life planned for Hollis Briggs

Hollis Briggs’ celebration of life will take place this weekend, with visitation planned Friday and ceremony on Saturday. (Courtesy photo)

WILMINGTON — This weekend the community will be honoring the life of a man whose advocacy was staunch reached numerous corners of southeastern North Carolina.

READ MORE: Local community advocate and leader Hollis Briggs passes away

Hollis Burke Frissell Briggs Jr. passed away on Thursday, March 20, and will be honored this weekend with a celebration of life.

Briggs was best known for leading the MLK Celebration Committee for two decades and helping plan the annual parade and banquet. He also served on the Cape Fear Public Utility Authority and Wilmington Housing Authority boards.

“Briggs was passionate about advocating for others and empowering people through education and economic opportunities,” according to Evelyn Adgar, who also served on the Southeastern North Carolina Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Committee. “Briggs’ passing is a great loss in particular to southeastern North Carolina, but also to all those who crossed his path.”

A visitation will take place with family and friends on Friday, March 28, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., at St. Phillips A.M.E. Church on 815 N. Eighth St. A public celebration will follow at noon on Saturday at Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church, 4925 New Centre Dr.

Thereafter, Briggs will take a final trip along the MLK parade route. His procession will travel south along Third Street, proceed east on Princess Street, north on Fourth Street to the intersection of Chestnut Street, before proceeding to Bethel AME Church Cemetery in Leland for the interment.

“We are deeply grateful for the outpouring of love and support during this difficult time,” Adger said. “We invite all who were touched by Hollis Brigg Jr.’s work and kindness to join us in remembering his remarkable life.”


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Shea Carver
Shea Carver
Shea Carver is the editor in chief at Port City Daily. A UNCW alumna, Shea worked in the print media business in Wilmington for 22 years before joining the PCD team in October 2020. She specializes in arts coverage — music, film, literature, theatre — the dining scene, and can often be tapped on where to go, what to do and who to see in Wilmington. When she isn’t hanging with her pup, Shadow Wolf, tending the garden or spinning vinyl, she’s attending concerts and live theater.

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