Margaret C. (Carr) Prillerman

With the same quiet inner strength, grace and dignity she always exhibited throughout her life, Margaret Estelle Carr Prillerman entered eternal peace and happiness on Wednesday, September 27, 2017 at the age of 90. Born to the late Henry and Mary V. Carr on October 28, 1926, Margaret received her early education in the Newport News, Virginia School System and subsequently graduated from Huntington High School in the same city. During this period in her life, she became a “special daughter” to Susie Barnes who willingly and lovingly served as Margaret’s mentor after the premature death of her birth mother. Following high school graduation, Margaret enrolled in Bennett College in Greensboro, NC where she received her Bachelor of Science Degree in 1947. She taught for a brief time at the Virginia School for the Deaf and Blind in Hampton, Virginia before continuing her education and earning her Master of Arts Degree at Hampton Institute (now University), Hampton, Virginia in 1951. In 1959, Margaret was awarded her degree of Master of Education from The Ohio State University. The archival records of the Columbus City Schools show that Margaret Prillerman had a remarkable professional career as a teacher of students with special needs and as an outstanding administrator. She began working at Indianola Hard of Hearing School in 1953 and remained there until 1963. Margaret’s next assignment was at Kingswood where she worked from 1964 through 1967 before transferring to the A.G. Bell School for Hearing Impaired students from 1967 through 1974. Margaret then became a Cadet Principal in 1974 after which she was promoted to Principal of East Columbus Elementary School. Margaret’s final assignment was as Principal of Trevitt Elementary School from 1981-1988. More important than the official record of her employment was the quality of service and leadership that Margaret provided to her students, parents, staff members and colleagues. She was an agent of change during her professional years and fulfilled her responsibilities with dedication and integrity, working hard to ensure she was making a positive difference in the lives of others. It was well known that Margaret continued to encourage and support students long after her career as teacher and principal were concluded, and her philanthropic support of young people extended far beyond those under her direct supervision. ‘Miss’ Margaret, as she was affectionately called, held high expectations for herself and for those with whom she had special relationships. While she was known to possess an exacting and sometimes feisty personality, her most steady and distinguishing features were her loving and caring nature and her abiding and steadfast faith in God. Colleagues, friends and relatives joined together last October in celebration of her 90th birthday, as she was delightfully serenaded by The Urban Strings Youth Group. She literally became a blessing to all who were part of her life. Margaret was a long-time member of Bethany Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) in Columbus, Ohio, where she served faithfully as a Trustee for a number of years. Inducted into The Columbus Chapter of The Moles in 1975, she was an active Mole for over 40 years and served in many capacities including as President, Vice-President, chairperson to many of the chapter’s committees, and as the National Moles Courtesy Chair from 1991-1995 and 1997-1999. Margaret was also a Golden Soror with over 50 years of membership in the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Alpha Sigma Omega Chapter, Columbus, Ohio. Initiated in 1955, Margaret served in many leadership positions in the local chapter. She is preceded in death by her parents, beloved husband and soulmate William (Bill), brothers Henry, Jr., Mack, and Winston and sister Dorothy. She is survived by several nieces, nephews, other extended family, devoted friends, and 2 stepchildren. Gratitude and special appreciation to Dr. Gina Love-Walker and the Methodist Eldercare Hospice nurses Melissa and Amanda for their attentive and loving care. A memorial service will be held on Friday, October 20, 2017 at 11:00 am at Bethany Presbyterian Church, 206 N. Garfield Avenue, Columbus, Ohio. The Reverend Michael Wilson will officiate and The Reverend Cynthia F. Burse will deliver the Resurrection Eulogy. A repast will immediately follow the service at the neighboring King Arts Complex. The burial of ashes will take place at 3pm at the Forest Lawn Cemetery, 5600 East Broad Street. Special tributes by the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Moles, Inc., and Bennett College Alumni will precede the Memorial at 10am. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Margaret’s name to Bennett College, 900 E Washington St, Greensboro, NC 27401 or to Johnson C. Smith Theological Seminary, 1024 Ponce De Leon Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30306. Reception: King Arts Complex 867 Mt. Vernon Ave. Columbus, OH 43203 To begin at 12:00 noon, or immediately following the memorial service.