Kenneth Poe Funeral Services

December 2, 2024

CHARLOTTE – Bob Culbertson lived a life filled with gratitude for his many blessings: a loving family, a successful business built on serving clients over decades with excellence, passionate dedication to social justice and the environment, a late-life talent for pottery, and an endless curiosity that drove him all his days.

Bob died at home on Monday, December 2, 2024, just three weeks after losing Peggy, his wife of 70 years.  Their profound bond, which began at Auburn University and deepened through seven decades of shared dreams and adventures, remained unbroken until the very end. He had lived with Alzheimer's disease in his final years and was 92 years old.

Born on May 14, 1932, in Albany, GA, to Ewell R. and Gertrude Shemwell Culbertson, Bob grew up riding horses on his grandfather's farm.  His early exposure to Southern racism inspired his lifelong commitment to social justice.  Despite struggling with undiagnosed dyslexia, he graduated with honors from Albany High School and earned All-State honors in football.  At Auburn University, he excelled academically, joined Tau Beta Pi, and most importantly, met his future wife, Peggy Barrow.

After graduating in 1954 with an engineering degree and Navy commission, Bob married Peggy and later earned his MBA from UNC-Chapel Hill.  The couple chose Charlotte as their home in 1962, where Bob co-founded The Morehead Group, building it into a nationally recognized life insurance agency now run by his son-in-law, Ken Samuelson.

Bob's commitment to community service was exemplified by his tenure on the Charlotte-Mecklenburg School Board from 1974-78 during school integration.  He and Peggy proudly educated their four children in public schools despite social pressures.  Their passion for the arts led to leadership roles with the Arts & Science Council, Mint Museum, McColl Center for Visual Art, and Penland School of Craft.

At age 60, Bob discovered pottery-making at Penland School, often sharing this passion with his grandchildren. He established Big Foot Pottery, donating all proceeds to charity.

Bob is survived by three children, Ewell Culbertson II (Lauren), Laura Thomas (Bob), and John Culbertson (Leslie).  His legacy lives on through ten grandchildren, Kenneth Samuelson III (McKinsey), David Samuelson (Courtney), Joy Bennett (Chad), Amos Culbertson (Olivia), Rosa Culbertson (Andrew), Bruce Thomas, Robert Thomas, McRae Culbertson, Luke Culbertson, and Julian Culbertson and eleven great-grandchildren.  He was preceded in death by his daughter Ruth Samuelson (Ken).

A celebration of life service will be held at 3:00 PM on Thursday, December 19, 2024, at Christ Episcopal Church, 1412 Providence Road, with a reception following in All Saints Hall.  The service will be livestreamed at:  https://christchurchcharlotte.org/watch-live-funerals/ for those unable to attend in person.

In lieu of flowers, a gift in Bob’s memory can be made to Catawba Lands Conservancy, 4530 Park Road, Suite 420, Charlotte, NC 28209 or to charities supporting social justice or environmental protection.  Bob believed happiness comes from love, and the greatest tribute to his memory would be to show kindness to all.

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.