Happy Heavenly Birthday Dwight Sylvester Artis

Dwight
(Photo from my personal collection)

On January 5th, 2025, my brother gained his heavenly wings and reunited with our mom, sisters, and grandparents. While my heart aches at his passing, I am filled with deep gratitude for the bond we shared and the memories that will always stay with me.

Dwight Sylvester Artis was the third of four children born to Sylvester and Mary Verneace Fuller Artis. Dwight was 14 years old when I was born. My birthday is in January, and his was November 10th — a special date he shared with my father, his stepfather.

Dwight as a toddler
(Photo from my personal collection)

Von, Dwight and Mercy
Photo from my personal collection

That's 3 year old Dwight (far right)
(Photo from my personal collection)

Dwight was a child of the Golden Oldies era — the ’50s, ’60s, and ’70s — and he loved to party to the R&B sounds of that time, especially the music of The Spinners. I remember him saying that their song “Sadie” was special to him because it reminded him of our mom. Now when I hear that song; it reminds me of Dwight and Momma.

He loved sports (especially those awful Dallas Cowboys!), the Godfather movies, and country music. He once told me that the first song he ever saw me singing was Lynn Anderson’s “Help Me Make It Through the Night.” Just imagine little six- or seven-year-old me singing that song — maybe I spent a little too much time around my big brother!

11-year-old Dwight in the white shirt
He was a class officer in 1961.

Dwight had many friends growing up, including Tony Williams — whose children became his godchildren — and Chubby Parker. I like to think that Dwight, Tony, and Chubby are together again.

1969 District 3-A Champs.
That's Dwight in the back wearing No. 13. 

After graduating from high school, Dwight left North Carolina and moved to Washington, D.C., where he worked for many years in the graphics department at U.S. News & World Report. During those years, he married and became a father. Fittingly, on his wedding anniversary, Dwight welcomed his only child, a son. In 2006, he became a proud grandfather to a baby girl whom he helped raise.

Dwight's son and granddaughter
(Photo from my personal collection)

Dwight and Michael with their granddaughters
(Photo from my personal collection)

About 15 years ago, Dwight began facing kidney issues and eventually required dialysis. He was blessed to receive a kidney from a donor, though sadly, it didn’t last as long as we had all hoped and prayed. In time, he also developed heart problems. Still, I am thankful for the years we shared with him and take comfort in knowing that he is no longer confined to a weary body.

Dwight now rests peacefully at Fort Lincoln Cemetery in Brentwood, Maryland, beside our mother and  sister, Mercy. Though he may be gone from this world, his love, laughter, and spirit will remain forever in our hearts.

Sources:

• Norwayne Basketball photo: Goldsboro News Argus (Goldsboro, N.C.) February 28, 1969, page 12.
• Ancestry.com, U.S. School Yearbooks, 1900-2016, Norwayne High School, 1961