Charlotte Williams was inducted into the Tennessee Funeral Director’s and Tennessee Funeral Sales Supply Club Hall of Fame at their annual convention at the Marriott in Franklin, Tennessee on June 11, 2024. This prestigious lifetime achievement award is given to individuals who have exemplified a passion and devotion to serving funeral directors and the funeral industry. Nominations are considered by committee members and presented to the club at large where they are voted on. Serving forty-plus years in the funeral industry with a great deal of awards and accolades made Charlotte an obvious choice.

Charlotte began her career in February 1982 with Batesville Casket Company at their Campbellsville, Kentucky plant.  Charlotte served in various roles such as Plant Accountant, Master Scheduler, and Materials Manager at the same time obtaining her bachelor’s degree by attending night school.  She was offered the position of Plant Controller at their largest manufacturing plant in Manchester, Tennessee in 1993.  During Charlotte’s career at the Manchester plant, she served as Plant Controller, Material Manager, Human Resource Manager and Regional Distribution Center Manager. 

Charlotte entered the world of sales with Batesville Casket Company in 2001 when she began calling on funeral directors at funeral homes in Tennessee, Georgia and Kentucky. This turned out to be her passion and purpose in life, treasuring the relationships and friendships she found. She soon began to excel in this field earning awards such as regional Sales Representative of the Year three times, Presidents Circle eight times, the Batesville Cup winner in 2014, and serving on the Council of Merchandising Excellence since 2009 until she retired. The most coveted award in Batesville Casket is the Masters Club – a lifetime achievement award requiring a minimum of 15 years sales experience and various other accomplishments to even be considered for this exclusive club. In 2019, Charlotte was inducted into the Batesville Casket Co. Master’s Club, being the one and only person inducted that year.

Charlotte was active in various other funeral related organizations also. She served as President of the Upper Cumberland Funeral Directors Association in 2010 and President of the Tennessee Funeral Sales Supply Club 2013-2014. She also served on the Convention Committee for the Tennessee Funeral Directors Association.

Since retiring on October 31, 2022, Charlotte and her husband, Darrell enjoy traveling, cheering on the TN Vols, and spending time with family and friends.  Charlotte couldn’t keep still for very long and is now working at Woodard’s Diamonds and Designs three days a week.

When giving her retirement farewell at Batesville Casket’s annual sales banquet, Charlotte was quoted as ending her speech with the following quote from the great philosopher, Winnie the Pooh, “How lucky am I to have such a hard thing to say good-bye to.”