Carol Lee (Perkins) Poynor

Carol Lee Perkins Poynor passed away peacefully surrounded by family at her home on November 6, 2025. Her steadfast faith, cheerful grace, and devotion to family sustained her throughout her life and bestowed blessings to those who knew her.

Carol was born October 7, 1939, to Mr. and Mrs. John Hamilton Perkins, Sr. (Virginia Mills). She was a lifelong resident of Birmingham, and cherished her family and friends. She graduated from Brooke Hill School as a member of Theta Kappa Delta sorority and later attended the University of Alabama, joining the Gamma Pi Chapter of Kappa Kappa Gamma.

Carol was active in the community serving on numerous boards, including the Junior League of Birmingham, The Service Guild of Birmingham, The Women’s Breast Health Fund of the Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham and a Trustee of The Birmingham Botanical Gardens. She was a longtime member of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church where she served for many years on the Altar Guild. Carol was a dedicated and loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother.

Carol was preceded in death by her parents and her husband of 61 years, Wilmer Smith Poynor III; her brothers, John Hamilton Perkins, Jr., Mills Vann Perkins, Sr; and her brothers-in-law, John Worrell Poynor and Frank Bouchelle Poynor.

She is survived by her three children: Helen Poynor Crabtree (Reaves, Sr.), Wilmer Smith Poynor IV (Elizabeth), and Hamilton Perkins Bouchelle Poynor (Kim); eight grandchildren: Reaves Monroe Crabtree Jr. (Caroline), John Stevenson Crabtree (Mackenzie), Wilmer Smith Poynor V (Elizabeth), Florence Evans Poynor, Virginia Elizabeth Poynor, Hamilton Mills Poynor (Jennifer), Cain Perkins Bouchelle Poynor, and Thomas Crawford Poynor; and four great-grandchildren: Virginia Rose Crabtree, John Stevenson Crabtree, Jr., Reaves Monroe Crabtree III, and Jordan Poynor Crabtree. She is also survived by her sisters-in-law: Marjorie Collins Perkins, Margo Perkins, and Nancy McCall Poynor, as well as several Perkins family nieces and nephews.

The family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to Lakeysha Smith, Donna Williams, Karen Magee, Yvonne Hardy, Brenda Beard, Virginia Gachungi, Bertha Sullivan and Larry Calmese for their loving and devoted care. The family would also like to express our appreciation for the compassionate Hospice care given by Leslie Naff and Beth Grace.

Services will be held at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church on Wednesday, November 12, at 3:00pm with visitation prior to the service at 2:00pm. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorials be made to St. Luke's Foundation, 3736 Montrose Road, Birmingham, AL 35213, or to a charity of your choice.