Kenneth Poe Funeral Services

September 12, 2026

CHARLOTTE - Elizabeth Martin Medearis died peacefully on September 12, 2026, at The Post at Providence. She was known as a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, and friend.

Born in Charlotte on May 1, 1935, Liz was the daughter of Dr. William Francis Martin and Mary Katharine Conran Martin. She attended Eastover Grammar School, where she met some of her lifelong best friends. She then attended Alexander Graham School, the state’s first junior high school, where she was voted “Best Dressed.” After one year at Central High School, where she was recognized as a beauty queen and mischief-maker, she attended Myers Park High school the first year it opened in 1951. Liz was voted “Miss Myers Park” and “Class Beauty.” After graduating from Saint Mary’s Junior College in Raleigh, she moved back to Charlotte and worked as a teller at NCNB Bank.

In the spring of 1953, a mutual friend set Liz up with William “Bill” Fields Medearis Jr. Their courtship was interrupted by Bill’s call to serve in the U.S. Army in January 1954 and resumed when he returned. They were married on October 11, 1957, at Christ Episcopal Church. After living in Selwyn Apartments and in a home on Melchor Avenue, they moved into Bill’s family home on Roswell Avenue, where they raised their four children and three dogs.

Liz had a lively personality, strong opinions, and steadfast beliefs. She was involved in several community and social organizations, including Christ Episcopal Church and Junior League of Charlotte, where she proudly served at the Drug Education Center and enjoyed working with the scenery committee for the annual Follies. She also enjoyed studying ceramics at Mint Museum’s Delhom Service League and being a member of the Charlotte Assembly, the Nine O’Clocks, German Club, and Charlotte Country Club. She helped begin May Day Play Day at Charlotte Latin School and served on its Board of Directors. She always enjoyed sharing good times with close friends— her favorites were golf, travel, lunch dates, and Summer Slump parties.

A passionate collector, she enjoyed Low Country paintings, antiques, stamps, and coins. Liz was artistic and creative, enjoying toile painting, various crafts, needlework, puzzles, games, and tracking the stock market. She always decorated the most beautiful Christmas trees. Liz was an excellent cook and marked the start of each summer by baking the most delicious peach cobbler.

Liz and Bill loved spending quality time with family and friends and were big believers in family traditions. They created many cherished memories during time spent at family homes in Blowing Rock, NC, and DeBordieu Beach, SC.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 67 years, William Fields Medearis Jr. Their marriage was filled with hand-holding, laughter, and plentiful banter.

She is survived by her children, William Fields Medearis III (Pauline), Katharine Medearis LaBadie (Dan) of Cornelius, Elizabeth Medearis Myers, and Martin Drury Medearis; and seven grandchildren, Margaret Lethco Medearis (Patrick Cain) of Philadelphia, William Fields Medearis IV, Dorothea “Francis” Medearis, Phister “Cole” Wardell Medearis, Katharine Bailey Brooks, PhD, of Delray Beach, FL, Elizabeth Rives Brooks, and Elizabeth Caroline Medearis Myers.

A family graveside service will be held at Forest Lawn West on September 26, 2026.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Memory and Movement Charlotte, 411 Billingsley Rd., Suite 103, Charlotte, NC 28211.

Thank you to the care teams at The Post at Providence, Via Health Partners, and Hospice for their compassionate care and support.

Arrangements are in the care of Kenneth W. Poe Funeral & Cremation Service, 1321 Berkeley Ave., Charlotte, NC 28204; (704) 641-7606. Online condolences may be shared at www.kennethpoeservices.com.