Kenneth Poe Funeral Services

August 13, 2024

Frances Eugenia “Jean” Barrett Williamson, 95, was received into the loving presence of her Lord early on Tuesday morning, August 13, 2024. 

Born at home in Fort Mill, SC on September 23, 1928, Jean was the youngest of nine children of Jasper Marvin Barrett and Mary Katherine Hodge Barrett. She grew up in Union and Mecklenburg counties and was so proud to be a Berryhill School graduate.

In a “soda shop” on Providence Road in 1947, Jean met Bill Williamson.  Rumor has it that he dated her friend first, but soon Bill and Jean became a couple.  They married on June 20, 1948.  After their honeymoon in Blowing Rock, they settled down to married life.  Making God the center of their life together, they became charter members of Westminster Presbyterian.  They welcomed Betsy, Bill, and Steve.  Jean loved being a mother, making sure that all her children found activities they enjoyed – scouts, youth football, piano lessons, time with friends, camping, youth group and other activities.  Jean began serving as a Girl Scout leader at Westminster before serving on the Hornet’s Nest Girl Scout Council. 

In the mid-1960s, Jean and Bill moved their family to the “country” in Matthews.  They embraced small town life while being involved in Charlotte as well.  As her children grew older, Jean decided to return to school and pursue a career as a realtor.  As empty nesters, Jean and Bill moved to Raleigh for a short time before relocating to Blowing Rock.  She loved being a realtor in the mountains, especially helping people achieve their dream of living or having a summer home in the beautiful mountains of North Carolina!  Along the way, she immersed herself in the life of Rumple Memorial Presbyterian Church and as a proud Democrat!  She chaired the Democratic Party in Watauga County and served on the Watauga County Board of Elections. 

Jean loved helping others.  She started a prayer shawl ministry at her church, served in the community library, and volunteered at Grandfather Home for Children.  She treasured her time with the Hunger and Health Coalition, first as a volunteer on the pharmacy van taking needed medication to rural areas and for many years as a board member.  From raising funds to sharing the story of how the Coalition helps others, she found her calling in service.

Jean and Bill loved to travel.  They started out with a small tent and 3 very small children.  From there they graduated to a trailer.  Finally, they decided that trips abroad and in the US with nice hotels and resorts was a better way to go!  From the rivers of Europe to the Caribbean to Alaska, Hawaii and everywhere in between, they fully enjoyed themselves. 

Jean was thrilled to become “Grammy” when Bill and Cathy presented them with Jordan and Patrick.  As they grew from children to men and establishing their careers, she told anyone who would listen about her grandsons.  She enjoyed every minute of Jordan’s wedding to Veronica in 2023.  Recently, she was telling everyone that she was going to become a great-grandmother in November! 

When Bill passed away in 2007, Jean grieved even while she turned toward her future.  She moved back to Matthews and became a full-time resident of Matthews Glen.  She felt at home because she was close to where her children were raised.  Many of the residents were acquaintances from that time.  From independent living to assisted living, she told all who would listen that they took such good care of her at Matthews Glen.  The family wishes to thank the staff at Matthews Glen for their care at every level.  She rode the bus to and joined Sardis Presbyterian Church and was grateful for the support of her Sardis family right up to her final days. 

In addition to her parents and her husband, Jean was predeceased by her brothers, John, Jim, and Bill, and her sisters, Janie, Mary, Hazel, Till, and Ivon.  After being the baby of the family for so long, she was amazed to become the matriarch!

Jean is survived by her children, Betsy, Bill, and Steve, her very special daughter-in-law, Cathy, her grandchildren Jordan Williamson and wife Veronica Hudson, Patrick Williamson and girlfriend Cat Humm, many nieces and nephews, and many, many friends!  She was indeed blessed by the Lord with a long and fruitful life!

There will be two services to celebrate Jean’s life.  At 1:00 PM on Monday, August 19, 2024, there will be a service at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Charlotte, NC. For those unable to attend, the service will be livestreamed: https://youtube.com/live/XkRl8WUklX0?feature=share. At 2:00 PM on Wednesday, August 28, 2024, the service will be held at Rumple Memorial Presbyterian Church in Blowing Rock, NC https://www.youtube.com/@rumplechurch/streams.  Each service will be followed by a reception.  Burial will be private at Sharon Memorial Park. 

If you wish to honor Jean’s life, the family requests that memorials be sent to Westminster Presbyterian or Sardis Presbyterian churches in Charlotte, to Rumple Memorial Presbyterian Church in Blowing Rock, the Hunger and Health Coalition in Boone, NC, or VIA Health Partners Hospice, VIA Health - Donate. 

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