SOUTHPORT — Dr. Carolyn Sue Segraves Williams, age 79, of Southport, North Carolina passed away on Thursday, April 17, 2025.
Carolyn was a Brunswick County native born at Dosher Hospital in Southport in 1945. She grew up in the Mill Creek area on Highway 87 and attended Bolivia High School where she graduated as salutatorian in 1964. She began piano lessons at age seven and was playing for services at Mill Creek Baptist Church by age 11. This began a lifelong music ministry wherein she played piano, organ and directed choirs for 65 years.
After earning a degree in music education at Campbell University in 1968, Carolyn taught music in the Fort Bragg Dependent Schools before returning home to take a position teaching second grade at Bolivia which was a 1-12 union school at the time. She completed a master’s degree in counseling at UNC-Chapel Hill in 1980 to take the guidance and counseling position at Bolivia. In the early 80’s she was selected as the North Carolina State Counselor of the Year.
In 1977, Carolyn married Lloyd Williams, an artist and graphic designer from Wilmington, N.C. Lloyd was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis and valiantly fought the disease until passing in 2010. They were married for 33 years.
A new chapter opened when Carolyn pursued a doctorate in educational administration and supervision from USC-Columbia. Upon completion of this milestone in 1983, she became the assistant principal at Bolivia before leaving to take the principalship at Supply Elementary School. She served there until her retirement from education in 2000. Again, she was awarded the highest honor in her field by being chosen as Brunswick County’s Principal of the Year.
Carolyn’s avocation remained music and she held various musical positions at the First Baptist Church of Boiling Spring Lakes and First Baptist Church in Wilmington, NC. She began playing, singing and directing at Trinity United Methodist Church in Southport in the 90’s. She retired from playing and directing in 2022, but continued to hold numerous positions including bell and chancel choirs, Worship Committee, UMW, Trustees, Church Council, Children’s Ministry, Christ Care Groups and many others.
After the death of her father in 1973 and mother in 1997, Carolyn was the matriarch of the Segraves family. She loved, protected and provided for her sisters, nieces, nephews and brothers in law in every way needed. She was a friend to all and gave to everyone who needed her help. She was the epitome of a formidable, Christian woman who mastered everything she touched with compassion and unselfish generosity.
Survivors include her two sisters, Cathy Jo Segraves Furpless and husband Bill of Southport, and Cynthia Evelyn Segraves Smith and husband Spencer of Knightdale; three nieces, Ashley Smith Pittman and husband Nick of Clayton, Laura Furpless Hutchinson and husband Will of Bolivia, and Catherine Furpless Smutko and husband Matthew of Southport; and great-nieces and great-nephews, Ryan Pittman, Caleb Pittman, Payton Hutchinson, Lilly Smutko, Olivia Smutko, Ella Hutchinson, Scarlett Hutchinson, and Benjamin Smutko.
A celebration of her life will be held at 6:00 pm on Thursday, April 24, 2025 at Trinity United Methodist Church. In honor of Carolyn, the family requests that everyone wear her favorite color of blue.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Children’s Music Department at Trinity United Methodist Church, 209 E. Nash Street, Southport, NC 28461. There will be a reception following the service in Murrow Hall.
