Joseph “Joe” Bertrum Hollowell, Jr. of Tyner, North Carolina passed away on September 27, 2026, at age 85. Joe lived with an extraordinary love for family, an unmistakable North Carolina spirit, a positive outlook on life, and a determination to make the most of every relationship and every day. Joe had a natural way of making people feel as though they had known him forever. Warm, outgoing, kind and genuinely interested in others, he never met a stranger. Within minutes he would know their name, something about their family and life, and the next time they met, he remembered. That gift for connection followed him everywhere, from a first conversation with a stranger to friendships that lasted for decades.

Born March 8, 1941, in Roanoke, Virginia, Joe was the only child of Joseph Bertrum Hollowell, Sr. and Marjorie Hildred Hobbs Hollowell. He grew up in Edenton and remained deeply rooted in Chowan County and returned to the area after earning a B.S. in School of Agriculture and Life Science degree from North Carolina State University. Afterall for Joe, Edenton was more than where he lived--it was his home and his heritage. He was proud to share its historical significance with those around him.

Joe had a lifelong love of NC State Wolfpack football which became a family tradition from childhood trips to Raleigh, to games he attended while watching his son Joseph play football there, to games he attended each year throughout his life. He was also a devoted San Francisco Giants fan and rarely missed a televised game no matter the time of night.

An entrepreneur at heart, Joe farmed in Chowan County and took his agricultural ventures to Jamaica, Haiti, Belize and St. Vincent growing winter vegetables, tobacco, and other crops. His interests also took him into real estate and other businesses over the years. He was curious, energetic and always interested in what might come next.

Joe cared deeply about his community and was an active public servant. Notable roles included serving as Chowan County Commissioner, State President of the North Carolina Jaycees, State President of the American Cancer Society, Chair of the Albemarle Regional Council of Government, and President of his Church’s Brotherhood/Baptist Men and in 2026 was appointed to serve on the North Carolina Coastal Resources Commission.

Politics was something Joe knew and loved to talk about. He possessed an extraordinary gift for forming relationships, remembering facts and he was a formidable but good-natured debater. He participated actively in Republican Party activities, campaigns and attended the 2016 Republican National Convention where he made sure to stand out by wearing a pink jacket. It worked as he made it onto the big screen!

Yet for all his ventures and accomplishments, nothing mattered more to Joe than family. Joe and his wife Lynda Pearl Copeland Hollowell, married on November 30, 1963, with whom he shared 33 years of marriage and raised their three athletic and driven children, Joseph Bertrum, III, John Mark and Kerry Lynn. Their family life was active, full of sports, boating, and keeping up with their children’s many activities. Joe coached at the high-school level and other athletic programs and spent countless hours around football, track, basketball, baseball and other sports. Lynda died in December 2002.

Joe was doubly blessed, as for more than two decades, Joe shared his life with his longtime partner, devoted and loving Susie Carolyn Meadows. Carolyn enriched Joe’s life by bringing a large and loving family, including Gene and Teresa Meadows and Aleta Smith (Doug Smith, deceased), many grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren who Joe treated as his own. They were known for large family gatherings, especially Thanksgiving and Christmas, bringing their families together. Joe and Carolyn both loved hosting, cooking and playing games with the family. The two of them also enjoyed their horses Venus and Carmella, caring for their cats and dog, tending to their vegetable gardens, traveling, and attending many NC State games, social events and political meetings.

Enormously proud of his children and grandchildren, Joe called, visited, traveled, attended athletic events, went to grandparents’ days/weekends, celebrated milestones and always showed up! From graduations in Tennessee and at NC State, to California for football games and performances, to family vacations at Wrightsville Beach, and many game nights, Joe enjoyed spending time with his family, was a constant presence in their life, and took tremendous pride in watching his grandchildren grow into their own selves, talking with them about their goals, supporting their dreams, teaching them about history and politics, and always cheering them on.

Joe’s friendships crossed generations. Among his many close friends included Jordan Hennessey, John Spruill, Marion Warren, and Norm Sanderson. Some were decades younger and looked to him not only as a friend but also as a mentor. Joe enjoyed sharing what he knew about politics and public service because it came naturally to him, not because he wanted recognition for doing it.

Joe is survived by partner Carolyn; his children, Joseph Berturm Hollowell, III and wife Kathleen (“Katie”) of Modesto, CA, Mark Hollowell and wife Lisa of Raleigh and Monroe, NC, and Dr. Kerry Hollowell and husband James “Jimmy” Ingenito of Edenton and Greenville, NC; and his grandchildren John Hollowell and Sarah Hollowell of Raleigh, NC and Levi Hollowell and Knox Hollowell of Modesto, CA. He was preceded in death by his wife, Lynda, and his parents, Bertrum and Marjorie.

Visitation will be held Saturday, October 3, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Miller & Van Essendelft Funeral Home, Edenton, NC. The funeral service will be held Sunday, October 4, at 2 p.m. at Edenton Baptist Church, with a reception immediately afterward in the fellowship hall.

Those who knew Joe will remember his smile, his humor, his stories, and most of all, how deep he loved those in his life. He leaves behind a family who will miss him dearly and is profoundly grateful for the 85 years he lived so fully with the example he gave them of a life well lived.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Tri County Animal Shelter, 131 Icaria Road, Tyner, NC 27980 www.tricountyanimalshelternc.com

Miller & Van Essendelft Funeral Home, 735 Virginia Road, Edenton, NC is assisting the Hollowell family with arrangements and online condolences may be made by visiting www.millerfhc.com