Alice Virginia "A.V." Poe Williams

Alice Virginia Poe Williams, affectionately known as “A.V.”, died peacefully at Glenaire Retirement Community on June 4, 2011. Born Nov. 19, 1911 at her grandmother’s house in Weldon, N.C. the first of three children of Herbert McLean Poe, a railroad engineer, and Carrie Medlin Poe, A.V. was raised in Rocky Mount. Throughout her life she regaled listeners with stories of growing up in small town NC, skating with her friends on main streets, riding trains through tobacco farms to visit relatives, and spending evenings on front porch swings. When A.V. was 15, her father died of pneumonia changing her idyllic childhood abruptly. A.V. took over many household responsibilities and became a wonderful cook and highly organized homemaker. Those skills brought much enjoyment to her greater family in years to come. A.V. graduated from Rocky Mount Sr. High School as Outstanding Senior of 1929. Her academic and musical talent enabled her to win a Kiwanis Club scholarship to UNC-G where she was President of the YWCA and graduated in 1933 with a B.A. in music, specializing in organ and piano. She used these skills the next 3 years, creating the Peter Rabbit Kindergarten, teaching piano to children, playing for weddings and funerals, performing with a violinist in local tea rooms, and accompanying silent films in the evenings.

In 1936 she married the late F. Carter Williams, whom she had known through relatives since childhood. The couple lived briefly in Henderson, N.C. where A.V. was organist for the Methodist church before moving to Champagne, IL for Carter’s graduate studies in architecture. While in Illinois, A.V. worked as Student Activities Director and organist for the local Congregational Church. Later, the couple settled in Raleigh where their daughter, Carol, was born shortly before WWII Army service called them to West Point, NY. Carter taught the cadets, and A.V. became a gracious hostess who invited them for dinner. A second daughter, June, was born during WWII and the family returned to Raleigh in 1946. A.V. became active in the music life of the city as a children’s piano teacher, member and President of the Raleigh Music Club, performer with the Raleigh Piano Ensemble and professional organist for Hillyer Memorial Christian Church and Pullen Memorial Baptist Church. Her love of music and belief in music’s ability to enrich lives of young people prompted A.V. to found the Vivace Music Club which provided educational programs and performance opportunities for students. A.V. served as adult advisor for many years.

In later years A.V. continued to work as substitute organist in area churches and community volunteer. She was a charter member of the Raleigh Fine Arts Society, President of the Meredith College Friends of the Library, sustainer of the Friends of the College Music Series and docent at the Governor’s Mansion until she was 80. A.V. found particular joy in working with flowers, became an accomplished Ikebana arranger and served as President of the local chapter of Ikebana, International. For many years she shared her artistic talents by heading the Flower Committee and Interior Decorating Committee at Pullen Memorial Baptist Church, where she also served as Deacon and was an active member for over 50 years. She later joined White Memorial Presbyterian Church which she loved dearly. She cherished many long friendships formed through the Arts and Travel Book Club and several bridge clubs.

A.V. will be remembered for her lively, infectious personality; her hostess skills; her contributions to Raleigh cultural life; and her gift of music that she so generously shared. Her greatest joys were her marriage of over 63 years to Carter and her family.

Surviving are daughters, Carol Williams Bilbro of Raleigh and husband Dr. Robert Hodges Bilbro whom A.V. loved as a son, and Alice June (Junie) Williams of Miami, FL; grandchildren, Dr. Scott Carter Bilbro (Leslie) of Cary, Kathryn Bilbro Williams (Murray, Jr.) of Raleigh, Jocelyn Brine Spelker of Madison, NJ; three great grandchildren, Carter Wells Bilbro, Davis Clarke Bilbro, Caroline Cooper Williams, and many beloved nieces and nephews.

A.V. was preceded in death by her sister, Nancy Poe Heckel; her brother, Hugh McLean Poe; a nephew, Dr. Charles Gordon Heckel,; and a niece, Nancy McLean Heckel.

The family is grateful for the skill and dedication of Mrs. Williams’ long time physician, Dr. C. Allan Eure; the support from the Older Adult Ministry of White Memorial Presbyterian Church; and the loving, gentle care provided by the staff at Glenaire Retirement Center Skilled Nursing Unit and Hospice of Wake County.

A memorial service will be held in the sanctuary of White Memorial Presbyterian Church at 11:00 AM on Thursday, June 16th , followed by a reception in the Jane Bell Gathering Space at the church. A private family burial will precede the memorial service.

To celebrate the life of A.V., the family requests that friends perform an act of kindness for another person.

Arrangements by Brown-Wynne Funeral Home, Saint Mary’s St. Raleigh, NC.