Dr. Carol Thomas Williams
Ed. D, CFSP, CPC, COCP, CFSGM
Carol Thomas Williams is married to Carl M. Williams and resides in Atlanta, Georgia. She is the co-owner of Carl M. Williams Funeral Directors, Inc. Carol was the Executive Director for the National Funeral Directors and Morticians Association, Inc., and an instructor at Gupton-Jones College of Funeral Service. The family created Carol’s Vibez, LLC., a firm which ensures continuing education for funeral directors. Prior to working alongside her husband in the business, Carol was a teacher with the Atlanta Public Schools for twenty years where she received numerous accolades for outstanding commitment to education. Dedicated to making a difference in the lives of all children, Carol also served as the Director of Saint Anthony’s Catholic School Childcare a part of the Catholic Archdiocese of Atlanta. She now serves as the Executive Director of “The Funeral Service Institute of Public Policies”.
After completing three years of undergraduate studies at South Carolina State College in Orangeburg, South Carolina, Carol completed her studies and earned the Bachelor of Arts degree, Salutatorian Magna Cum Laude, from Morris Brown College in Atlanta, Georgia. Subsequently, she received an associate degree from Gupton-Jones College of Funeral Service in Decatur, Georgia, a Master of Arts Degree from Central Michigan University in Mount Pleasant, Michigan, and a Doctoral degree in Education with a specialization in Curriculum Studies Multi Culturism from Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, Georgia. Carol has a certificate in Event and Meeting Planning from Clayton State University in Jonesboro, Georgia. She is a licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer in the states of Georgia and South Carolina and had a T-7 teaching certificate in the state of Georgia. Carol is a Certified Funeral Service Practitioner, Certified Preneed Counselor, Certified Funeral Service General Manager and Crematory Operations Certificate Program.
A member of several professional organizations, Carol renders service and expertise to the National Funeral Directors and Morticians Association, Funeral Service Institute of Public Policies, Member of the American Board of Funeral Service Education Committee of Accreditation, Georgia Funeral Service Practitioners Association, where she served as the Education and Research Director, Ninth District of the Georgia Funeral Service Practitioner Association as co-chairperson, Epsilon Nu Delta Mortuary Fraternity, Pi Sigma Eta National Morticians Fraternity, National Board of Funeral Service Certification Association, Academy of Professional Funeral Service Practice (CFSP), American Board of Funeral Service, Delta Epsilon Iota Academic Honor Society, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Decatur Chapter of Epicureans, serving as treasurer, American Society of Association Executives and National Association of Parliamentarian. Carol is an author and public speaker.
While her awards are too numerous to mention, six of her most recent citations include recipient of the 2022 Professional of the year for the Georgia Funeral Service Practitioner Association, Inc., 2021 Professional of the year for the 9th District of the Georgia Funeral Service and Practitioner Association, Inc., 2021Special Recognition Award from the National Funeral Directors Association, Distinguished Service award from Gupton-Jones College of Funeral Service, Morris Brown College Distinguish Business Award, and the Atlanta Business Award Community Service award. She has been featured in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the Atlanta Daily World Newspaper, Goodlife Magazine, and the Atlanta Business Journal for her outstanding contributions to the funeral service profession. She wrote several articles that were featured in the Atlanta Daily World Newspaper and the NFDMA Scope Magazine.
Carol is religiously affiliated with Friendship Baptist Church in Atlanta, Georgia, where she has served as a member and chairperson of the Deaconess Board, Sunday School Teacher, director of Vacation Bible School, president of the Senior Usher Board, president of the Uplifters Club, and chairperson of Women’s Day.
A family woman, Carol has three children, Carlos, Chantė and Aaron; five granddaughters, Julia Carol, Emily Jannette, Janine Renee, Arianna, and Ayana; and two grandsons, Carlos Jr. and Ferrisho Jr.