AHOSKIE – Dr. J. D. Weaver was proud to serve as a country doctor, taking care of local folks regardless of their ability to pay.

And now, despite the passage of just over 20 years since his death, Weaver’s legacy to help others remains.

The Dr. Joseph D. Weaver Scholarship Foundation is once again in the process of awarding scholarships to three worthy high school seniors in the Roanoke-Chowan area on behalf of the late prominent physician.

Three graduating seniors – one each from Bertie, Hertford and Northampton counties – will each receive a $1,000 scholarship to aid them in their post high school education at a college or university.

Students at the high schools in those counties can apply for the scholarship by visiting their guidance counselor.

Meanwhile, those wishing to make a donation to the scholarship fund can contact any member of the Weaver Foundation. That group includes Dwight Ransome, J. Wendell Hall, F. Gary Lewter, Hilma Flood, Lillie Owens-White, Bertha Newsome King, Dr. Claudia Weaver-Richardson, State Representative Howard Hunter III and Earline Davis.

“We are again asking for your support in our efforts to continue Dr. Weaver’s legacy and help worthy students in our area to further their education,” stated Ransome. “These students have a desire and hunger to learn, but they face financial difficulties. Please help us to help them achieve their goals. All donations to the scholarship fund are tax deductible.”

Since its beginning, the Dr. Weaver Scholarship Foundation has awarded over $25,000 in scholarships to area students who have gone on and completed their college education and are making an impact on the local community.

Every two years, the Dr. Weaver Scholarship Foundation awards college scholarships to deserving local graduates who may later become the next medical doctor to serve their hometown.

“We feel it’s important to continue to recognize the impact Dr. Weaver had on our local communities,” said Ransome. “Dr. Weaver dedicated his life to 58 years of professional medical service to our community. The Scholarship Foundation is trying to continue this legacy of helping others.”

This biennial effort began shortly after Weaver’s death on Nov. 21, 1998. It was then that the Roanoke-Chowan area lost a medical giant with a big heart. Those receiving the scholarships will perhaps follow in Weaver’s footsteps, becoming the next “country doctor” or plan to obtain a degree in the broad range of healthcare.

Born in 1911 and raised in Winton, Dr. Weaver was educated through the local public school system, graduating from Water’s Normal School before going on and earning his Bachelor of Science and Doctorate of Medicine from the prestigious Howard University.

Soon after being licensed to practice medicine in North Carolina and Virginia, World War II broke out and, like many men of what is hailed as the greatest generation, Dr. Weaver served his country. Commissioned as a First Lieutenant in the US Medical Corps, he proudly served with the 372 Second Infantry Regiment for two years.

Over the course of the next five decades, Dr. Weaver served again – this time as the physician for multiple generations of patients. Ahoskie was his base of operations as he operated Weaver’s Clinic on Maple Street.

Driven by a desire to help the entire community, he later joined the practice of the Roanoke-Chowan Medical Center. He also served Roanoke-Chowan Hospital in a number of capacities; was Medical Director of I.B.P.O.E. of W. Grand Lodge; was the physician for the Hertford County Law Enforcement Center; and served as Medical Examiner for both Hertford County and Gates County.

“It is well known that Dr. Weaver never refused medical services to anyone, regardless of his or her ability to pay,” said Ransome. “Our hearts and our minds should be just like that of Dr. Weaver.”

Ransome urged the public to make a donation to this scholarship fund so that these local young people will themselves pick-up the banner one day and continue Dr. Weaver’s healthcare legacy.