Charlotte (Williams) Sprawls

Charlotte was born in Jackson, TN, the daughter of Edith, a teacher, and Charles B. Williams, a minister, professor, at one time a college president, but most recognized as a Greek scholar. She was to become the wife of Perry Sprawls and the mother of Charles Perry Sprawls. During her youth she also lived in Shiloh, North Carolina (Dr. William's hometown) and in Lakeland, Florida where she graduated from high school. She then attended and graduated from Carson Newman College majoring in Romance languages (Spanish and French). Then to Emory University for a graduate degree, also in languages. Then returned to Carson Newman on the faculty teaching languages. After one year, returned to Atlanta and Emory University joining the staff of the English Department. At that time the English and Physics Departments were in the same building and her office was very close to the office of Perry Sprawls who had just joined the Emory faculty. Charlotte and Perry were married on Emory Campus and continued to live there for another 45 years.
They were long-time and active members of the Decatur First Baptist Church. There Charlotte was active in many ways including: an ordained deacon, director of the very successful ESL (English as a Second Language) program, a major leader in referee resettlement, Sunday School, Choir, and the pitcher of the Church softball team recognized for pitching many no-hitters. She also worked for many years on the administrative staff of the church but "retired" from that to be able to travel with Perry as his international and global health work was increasing.
In 2000 as Perry was retiring from Emory, they moved to Montreat, NC.
Coming from many years of activity in a progressive church in Decatur, they looked for similar opportunities in the Montreat Black Mountain area. They found it in Black Mountain Presbyterian Church. There she enjoyed the Adult and Handbell Choirs and served as an Elder. For many years she chaired the Nurture Committee and organized many activities, especially the Thursday Night Live Programs. As a major part of the Centennial Celebration, she led the research of the Church history and authored the book on the history of the Church and organized and edited the cookbook published by the Church. In recognition of her many contributions she was honored as the Woman of the Year by the Presbyterian Women.
She, along with Perry, served on the Board of Directors of the Asheville Lyric Opera and as president of the Opera Guild.
She continued as publisher of the Williams translation of the New Testament.

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