Kenneth Poe Funeral Services

February 28, 2025

CHARLOTTE – Dr. Inja Hong, age 86, passed away peacefully on Friday, February 28, 2025, at the Cypress of Charlotte, where she lived since 2016.  She was born on March 1, 1938 in Seoul, Korea to Tae Wook Hong and Young Ja Kim.

She graduated from Ewha Women’s University in Seoul, Korea; and University of Wisconsin, Madison where she received her MS (1971) and PhD (1972) in Curriculum & Instruction: Educational Technology.  Her purpose in life was to champion students to create their best future for not only themselves but for their families and communities through education.  She served in many academic institutions in her field, including Gogebic Community College, Western Michigan University, Morris College, Hutchinson Community College, Lake Michigan College, Averett University and retired from Johnson C Smith University (JCSU).

She was the Dean of Library Affairs at JCSU from 1998-2005 and Special Assistant to the President for Special Projects from 2006-2008.  She remodeled the JCSU library and created the Inja Hong Gallery within the James B Duke Memorial Library in 2008.  Because of her outstanding philanthropy work, she received the Golden Bull Society Award in 2007 from JCSU. She received the Moses S. Belton Award Distinguished Administrative Services in 2006.

Most notably, in 2003-2004 Dr. Hong established the Tae Wook and Young Ja Kim Hong Scholarship Endowment Fund in honor of her parents and was presented The Legacy Society Award.  At Averett University, she created the Moonja Hong Endowed Scholarship in her sister’s name.  This scholarship is awarded to a deserving undergraduate sophomore student demonstrating financial need, especially for students without parents or students of a single parent.

Dr. Hong was married to Dr. Rhyn Kim in 1998.  She and her husband loved adventure, and they enjoyed exploring the world together.  She also loved to knit, cook Korean food and had a deep appreciation for the arts, including the opera.  She also enjoyed spending time with family, friends and their dogs Dora and Chelsea.

Dr. Hong is survived by her daughter, Sue Ann Hong-Whitaker and her husband, Dr. Xavier Whitaker; her three grandchildren, Trenton, Elizabeth and Sophia Whitaker.  She is also survived by her three stepchildren, Juli Kim (Reid Chisholm), Allis Kim Rodelli (Nick), and Steven Kim (Mary Hauser) and six grandchildren, Hannah and Jake Chisholm; Kate and Jack Rodelli and Peter and Alex Kim.  She was preceded in death by her husband; parents; sister, Moonja Hong and brother, Dae Tek Hong.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, March 15, 2025, at Myers Park Presbyterian Church, 2501 Oxford Place, Charlotte, NC.  The family will receive friends following the service at the church.  The service will be livestreamed at: https://myersparkpres.org/live/ for those unable to attend in person.

Flowers should be sent to the church. 

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.