On December 27, 2025, Carol Wallace Sherman, a respected educator and longtime resident of Williamsburg, Virginia, passed away at the age of 89. Her contributions to the arts and education left a lasting impact on her community and beyond. Born on April 16, 1936, in Watertown, New York, she was the daughter of Neil M. Wallace, a West Point graduate, and Eleanor Marguerite Seller, an accomplished artist.
Throughout her childhood, Carol experienced a nomadic lifestyle due to her father’s military career. This upbringing instilled in her a deep appreciation for diverse cultures, particularly during visits to Native American communities. By the age of three, she could recite the names of various plains tribes, reflecting her early fascination with the world around her.
A Prominent Career in Education and the Arts
After earning a Bachelor of Arts in Dramatic Art from Hollins University in 1957 and a Master of Arts in Dance from Sarah Lawrence College in 1958, Carol dedicated her career to the performing arts. She served as a Professor of Dance, Emerita, at The College of William and Mary for 36 years, where she was instrumental in developing the Dance Minor program alongside her colleague Shirley Roby. Her innovative teaching methods earned her the inaugural Thomas A. Graves Award for Sustained Excellence in Teaching in 1985, a prestigious honor that continues to be awarded annually.
In addition to her academic roles, Carol’s influence extended to governance within the college. She chaired the ad hoc committee on the Status of Women and the College-wide Affirmative Action Advisory Board, leading initiatives that shaped university policy. Her advocacy for the arts was evident in her tireless efforts to highlight their significance within the university community.
A Life Rich in Relationships and Community Involvement
Carol’s personal life flourished when she married widower Roger Durand Sherman, with whom she shared 39 years of marriage. Together, they embraced family life and nurtured a close-knit household that included Roger’s three children and five grandchildren. Her commitment to education and community service was evident in her volunteer work with the FISH clothing closet and her role in delivering meals for Meals on Wheels.
Beyond her academic and community contributions, Carol was an enthusiastic member of the Williamsburg Unitarian Universalists, where she participated in services and played percussion in the church band. Her zest for life and passion for learning continued into her later years, as she taught classes for the Christopher Wren Association and the Osher Institute for lifelong learning.
Carol is survived by Roger’s three children, Bonnie Sherman, Laura Sherman House, and David Durand Sherman, as well as seven great-grandchildren. She cherished her late brother, Roger Neil Wallace, and his widow, Mary Baughman. Her legacy lives on through her numerous former students, colleagues, and close friends, including Lynn Allison, Larry Durrett, and Shirley Roby.
A celebration of Carol Wallace Sherman’s life is scheduled for February 22 at 14:00 at the Williamsburg Unitarian Universalist Church, located at 3051 Ironbound Road, Williamsburg, Virginia. In lieu of flowers, those wishing to honor her memory may consider donations to FISH, the Williamsburg Universalists Endowment Fund, or the Roby/Sherman Dance Scholarship Fund at The College of William and Mary.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy can be shared at www.nelsenwilliamsburg.com.