Kenneth Poe Funeral Services

February 12, 2025

CHARLOTTE – Sara Bee Craig Johnson, 89, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, February 12, 2025.  Born in Rock Hill, SC, she was raised in Chester and Lancaster, SC.  Her parents were Una Bee Martin Craig and John Edward Craig. 

A 1957 graduate of Queens College, Sara Bee’s musical talents were recognized early.  She was awarded the Presser Award for excellence in musical and academic achievement for her accomplishments as a violinist and pianist. Later, Queens College honored her as Alumni of the Year for her continuing contributions to the school.  Sara Bee shared her love of music as a teacher in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg school system and as a member of the Myers Park United Methodist Church choir for many years.  It was during her time as a teacher that she met her husband, James Ross Johnson of Timmonsville, SC.

Together, they raised two children, both of whom survive her: Becky Johnson Headen and her husband, Tony Hernandez and Craig Ross Johnson, both of Charlotte.  She is also survived by her brother, Jim Craig and his husband, Randy Johnson of Winston-Salem, and her grandsons, Franklin and James Headen of New York City. 

Sara Bee emphasized educational opportunities for her children, ensuring they had every chance to succeed in life. An avid reader, she enjoyed participating in a book club with many friends. She made a point of exposing her children to the arts and music, and she and her husband regularly attended the symphony and the Spoleto Festival in Charleston, SC.  In her home, Sara Bee was a quintessential host, greeting visitors with homemade cheese biscuits and pound cakes. Above all, she shared her kindness with everyone she met.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, March 22, 2025, in the Belk Chapel at Queens University, 2287 Radcliffe Avenue, Charlotte, NC.  The family will receive friends following the service in the Rotunda.  Interment will be private in the columbarium of Myers Park United Methodist Church.

The family requests that memorials be offered in memory of Sara Bee to the John Richards Hay and Sara Craig Hay Scholarship Program at Davidson College. To make a gift, you can visit https://community.davidson.edu/gift-form and under ‘I Want to Support…’ you will select ‘Other’ from the drop down menu. You can then enter ‘John R. and Sara C. Hay Scholarship’.  At the bottom of the page, you can also click on the box next to ‘This gift is a tribute’ and add information there as well.  Memorials may also be made to Queens University of Charlotte, 1900 Selwyn Avenue, Charlotte, NC 28274; Attention: Queens Advancement.   Please include note: this is a gift in memory of Sara Bee for the Centennial Class of ’57 Scholarship.  A gift can also be made online at www.queens.edu.

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.