Mary Edna Cagle Williams

Raleigh, NC - Mary Edna Cagle Williams passed away on September 5, 2024, at UNC Rex Hospital in Raleigh after a brief battle with cancer. She was born on February 13, 1956, in Wadesboro, NC, the daughter of the late Robert L. Cagle Jr. and the late Emily Tarlton Cagle. 

Mary Edna graduated from Bowman Sr. High School in 1974 and while growing up was active in Girl Scouts, the high school band, church youth groups and other social opportunities. She attended NC State University, graduating in 1978 with a Bachelor of Social Work degree. 

She began her work life as a Disability Determinations Specialist with the State of North Carolina but found her real calling in helping people as a REALTOR®. She served her profession as an owner/broker and in multiple levels of leadership. At the local level, she was the 2000 President of the Raleigh Regional Association of REALTORS® (RRAR), won the RRAR 2004 REALTOR® of the Year and was inducted into the RRAR Hall of Fame in 2010. She served on the RRAR Board of Directors for over 10 years and was a member of the Top Producers Council from 2006-2024.

She served on numerous committees over the years, including Realtor Political Action Committee, Strategic Planning Committee, New Building Committee, Professional Standards Committee, Grievance Committee, and Issues and Mobilization Committee. At the state level she was the 2010 President of the North Carolina Association of REALTORS®, now NC REALTORS® and won the NC REALTORS® 2018 REALTOR® of the Year. Many real estate agents in the area benefitted from her mentorship. As her husband has said to many, “real estate was not her job, it was her way of life.” Her many years in real estate was enabled with the support of her long-time assistant Judy Witman. 

While at NC State Mary Edna met her husband and as she told everyone, “I met him in the first COED dorm at NC State.” She and her husband Kinney were avid NC State Wolfpack supporters, ticket holders and donors. 

Mary Edna is survived by her husband of 46 years, Charles Kenneth Williams; her brother, Bob Cagle and wife Jan; nieces, Sarah Davis Cagle and Jenny Williams Tran (David); nephews, Jason Williams (Joan), Jon Williams, and Rob Cagle (Hope); an aunt, Odessa Brown; an uncle, Dr. E.P. Stillwell; as well as many cousins and a host of friends. 

Visitation and a celebration of her life will be held on Friday, September 13 from 6-8 pm in the Chapel of Brown-Wynne, 300 Saint. Mary’s St. in Raleigh. 

She will be buried next to her Daddy in East View Cemetery 313 Old Lilesville Rd, Wadesboro, NC at 1pm Saturday, September 21, 2024, with a reception at Calvary Episcopal Church, 308 E. Wade St, Wadesboro following.

In lieu of flowers, we ask that you make a donation to the V Foundation in memory of Mary Edna. https://vfoundation.donordrive.com/campaign/Mary-Edna-Cagle-Williams

Service arrangements in Raleigh by Brown-Wynne, 300 Saint Mary's St. and in Wadesboro by Leavitt Funeral Services.