Kenneth Poe Funeral Services

February 6, 2021

CHARLOTTE - Barbara T. Williams (nee Lummis) passed away peacefully at home on February 6, 2021, at the age of 83. She was the daughter of Dorothy (Doff) and Bert Lummis, and grew up in Haddonfield, NJ, before moving to Charlotte, NC in 1976.

Barbie is survived by her loving and devoted husband of 55 years, Gene, whom she met at church in Cherry Hill, NJ where she directed the Bell Choir. She is also survived by nieces Diane Davis of Mount Laurel, NJ, Susan Knorr (Lee) of Garnet Valley, PA, and Jennifer Lummis of Yarmouth, ME, and nephews Stephen Lummis (Donna) of Middle River, MD and David Lummis (Patricia) of Cherry Hill, NJ.  She was preceded in death by her parents, her adored son Kirk, and her older brother Bill.  She is also survived by three stepchildren, Gary Williams (Anne) of Marlton, NJ, Deborah Bell (Sandy) of Charlotte, NC, and Cathy Rea (Dean) of Erial, NJ, as well as seven loving grandchildren.

Barbie graduated from Haddonfield Memorial High School.  She studied music at Westminster Choir College and then taught for many years at The Bancroft School in Haddonfield, a career she found extremely rewarding.  She started playing the piano at age five and was musically gifted with perfect pitch. Barbie was a master at crossword puzzles and only did the Sunday puzzles - in ink - because the weekday puzzles were too easy! She loved dogs, especially Chloe and Bailey. She also loved reading, gardening, sewing, doll-making, playing bridge and collecting cookbooks from around the world. Her flower gardens were the envy of the neighborhood. She and Gene travelled extensively - with Holland, Scotland, Ireland, the Baltic capitals and Alaska being among her favorite places.

As a longtime resident of North Carolina, Barbie became an avid Hornets and Panthers fan. She was the choir director at Sardis Presbyterian Church where she and Gene sang. After moving to the Lake Norman area, she was organist at Cornelius Presbyterian Church. She was so often an attentive hostess at their home, hosting many a party for both Observer clients and their many friends.  Barbie helped start the Cornelius Chapter of  P.E.O. Sisterhood, a Philanthropic Educational Organization where women celebrate the advancement of women through scholarships, grants, awards, and stewardship.

 Barbie will always be remembered for her kindness and extreme generosity, sense of humor, love of dogs, and her care for the well-being of others. Her NJ family is especially grateful for so many happy memories made during many summer visits to the lake. Barbie was well-loved and blessed to have so many close and devoted friends who cared for her deeply.   

A private graveside service will be held at Sardis Presbyterian Church,

Memorials may be made in Barbie’s memory to the music program at Sardis Presbyterian or to the Charlotte Humane Society.

Arrangements are in the care of Kenneth W. Poe Funeral & Cremation Service, 1321 Berkeley Ave., Charlotte, NC 28204; (704) 641-7606. Online condolences can be shared at www.kennethpoeservices.com. Condolences may also be mailed to Kenneth W. Poe Funeral Service.