Kay McIntosh Williams

Kay McIntosh Williams, 81, of Charleston, South Carolina, passed away peacefully on Monday, February 17, 2025. 

Born on May 3, 1943, Kay was the daughter of the late Carlotta Knobeloch McIntosh and Herbert Thomas McIntosh. She is survived by her children, Meredith Lee McLaughlin (Trey) of Charleston and Thomas W. Williams (Beth) of Woodstock, GA; the true lights of her life, her grandchildren: Jackson Thomas McLaughlin, Matthew Brady McLaughlin, John Laurence McLaughlin IV, Peyton Ashley Williams, and Eliza Layne Williams; her brother, H. Thomas McIntosh, Jr. (Margaret) of Charleston; her nephew, Charles T. McIntosh (Caroline) of Charleston and his children Ann, Henry and Thomas. 

Kay graduated from the High School of Charleston in 1961, where she served as president of the student body, and went on to earn her degree from the College of Charleston in 1965. While at The College, she served as president of Tri Delta sorority and was named Miss College of Charleston. Following her graduation, she moved to New Orleans with a longtime friend to pursue a career in education. There, she taught high school English and History before eventually relocating to Houston, Texas, where she brought up her children. Kay cherished her time at home with her children during their early years. 

In 1981, Kay returned to the classroom as a preschool teacher at Seeds of Learning School and later taught kindergarten at Faith Lutheran Day School. In 1988, she became the Director of that school, where she worked passionately for seven years to expand and enhance the program. She was an active member of Faith Lutheran Church, where she also taught Sunday School and Vacation Bible School, and volunteered in her children’s schools, serving as a reading tutor and leading an art enrichment program. 

In 1995, Kay returned to Charleston, where she began teaching at Ashley Hall. She taught both 4K and kindergarten and in 2008 was named Teacher of the Year. Known affectionately as “Miss Kay Williams,” she kept in touch with many of the children she had taught over the years. Kay was deeply passionate about helping children learn to read and believed wholeheartedly that every child could succeed with the right support and encouragement. 

After retiring from teaching, Kay focused on spending time with her beloved grandchildren and devoted herself to tutoring and researching her family history, two things she enjoyed. 

Kay’s grandchildren lovingly referred to her as “Attie.” She poured her heart and soul into her family, attending every school, sporting, and musical event, and treasured individual moments with each of her grandchildren. 

Kay will be remembered for her unwavering dedication to education, her boundless love for her family, her deep and abiding faith and the lasting impact she had on everyone she knew. Her Funeral Service will be held Saturday, February 22, 2025 in St. John's Lutheran Church, 5 Clifford Street at 11:00 am. Interment to immediately follow in Bethany Cemetery. The family will receive friends Friday from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm in J. Henry Stuhr Inc., Downtown Chapel.

In lieu of flowers, a gift in Kay’s memory can be made to St. John’s Lutheran Church, 5 Clifford Street, Charleston, SC.