Biography: Carol Elizabeth Bowman Williams, 76, of Little Rock passed away on February 9, 2021 from complications due to Alzheimer’s Disease.  She was born October 2, 1944 in Little Rock, Arkansas to the late Frances Gray and Everett Runyan Bowman.

Carol graduated from Hall High School in 1962 and the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville in 1966 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in French and English.  She was a member of Pi Beta Phi Sorority and was Assistant Rush Chairman.  In 1991-1992 she attended UALR Graduate School and received an Adult Education Certificate.

For many summers Carol attended Camp Mitchell, the Episcopal church camp on Petit Jean Mountain.  This is an incredibly special place to worship God, behold his beautiful creation, and to make many life-long friendships.  It was here that she met the love of her life, Alfred (Alf) Montague Williams, Jr. of Fort Smith, Arkansas.  They married on August 20, 1966 and moved to Fort Smith.

She held various jobs while living in Fort Smith, Texarkana, and Little Rock.  She taught at Hobson Preschool for several years in Fort Smith and enjoyed teaching ESL and Adult Basic Education in Texarkana.  She especially enjoyed working for H.I.R.E., Inc. in Little Rock where she served as a Job Training Specialist, Project Chairman, and Program Coordinator for individuals with disabilities seeking employment.  Carol also worked as a Case Manager for AR Cares, a substance abuse treatment program.  Before retiring, Carol held one more position as a part-time teacher in the Special Ed Department at eStem Charter School in Little Rock.

Carol loved her church, St. Margaret’s Episcopal, where she was a very faithful and active member.  She especially enjoyed serving as a Lay Eucharistic Minister and Lay Eucharistic Visitor.  She also assisted in starting a Card Ministry, served as an usher, Sunday school teacher, and greeter.  Carol was wonderfully warm and fun-loving person who enjoyed the simple things in life.  She loved to laugh, loved music (especially R&R), exercising, and watching good entertaining movies.  As an avid sports fan, she loved watching the Razorbacks, the Olympics, and other sporting events. 

She was preceded in death by her parents, stepbrother Frank Gray Pirnique (Mary), and daughter Amy Williams Hartsell.  She is survived by her husband of 54 years, Alfred (Alf) M. Williams, Jr. of Little Rock, son Gray Montague Williams (Lan) of Oakland, California, stepbrother Dr. Allan Stark Pirnique of El Dorado, Arkansas, grandchildren Brittany Hartsell Williams (Josh) of Roland, Oklahoma, Brett William Hartsell (Amanda) of Arkoma, Oklahoma and four great grandchildren, Cambree and Lilliana Williams, Maddilynn and Memphis Hartsell; plus numerous cousins and close friends who will all miss her warm and contagious smile.

A private service will be held in St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church columbarium with interment therein.  A celebration of Carol’s life will be held on a later date at St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church, Little Rock, Arkansas.  The family wishes to thank the staff and caregivers of Elder Independence, Bryant, Arkansas with especial thanks to her long-term caregivers, Danielle Jordan and Catrina Bosire, and the nurses and staff of Kindred Hospice, Little Rock, Arkansas.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider memorials to St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church, 20900 Chenal Parkway, Little Rock, AR 72223, or Alzheimer’s Arkansas Chapter, PO Box 96011, Washington, DC 20090-6011, or a charity of your choice.  Arrangements are under the direction of Ruebel Funeral Home, RuebelFuneralHome.com