Sarah Margaret Johnson Cleary

Sarah Margaret Johnson Cleary, 78, peacefully went home to be with her Lord and Savior, Wednesday, March 26, 2014 at Hospice of Huntersville. Born December 24, 1935, she is preceded in death by her parents, Chester and Shelby Nell Feimster Johnson of Harmony, her husband of 53 years, Herbert Hoover Cleary, a daughter, Sheila Marie Cleary, sisters, Lucille Sherrill and Jessie Campbell, and a great grandchild. She is survived by her son, Herbert Lynn Cleary of Statesville, his fiancée, Allyson Armstrong of Hickory; brother and sister-in-law, Jim and Bessie Johnson of Clemmons, her baby sister, Laranda Johnson of Harmony, whom she loved like her own; sister, Betty Johnson; nieces, Sandy Cox and husband, Gary Cox of Charlotte, Amanda Saunders and husband, Al Saunders of Winston-Salem, Laura Ballard and Allison Bullock of Statesville; grandchildren, Lindsay Cleary Ray and husband, Daniel Ray, Thomas Cleary and fiancée, Tara Shoemaker, and Makayla Cleary; great grandchildren, Lucas and Corbin Ray, Bentley Cleary, a great grandchild due in July; special lifetime friend, Marlene Morrison of Statesville, and former daughter-in-law, Debbie Cleary.

Sarah was a noted buyer for the children, cosmetics and cologne departments for the Belk store at Signal Hill Mall, Eastland Mall, and Belk of Mooresville, where she retired. Many will remember her beautiful face and sparkling personality there at the Belk stores. She took pride in training girls to do their jobs to the best of their ability. She represented the store many times in New York City. After retirement, Sarah continued to help ladies with the wardrobes and cosmetics. She loved her family and dearly missed her husband of 53 years. Reunited in Heaven, they are together for eternity.

The family will receive friends at Bunch-Johnson Funeral Home on Saturday from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. with the service following in the Westmoreland Chapel of Bunch-Johnson Funeral Home at 2:30 p.m. Burial will be at Rock Springs Church Cemetery in Harmony. At other times, the family will assemble at 126 Sparrow Lane, Statesville.

Special thanks to her dear sister-in-law, Bessie Johnson, who never left Sarah’s side for the past month; Marlene Morrison, for being such a great friend, and Hospice of Huntersville, for all the support and love in her last days. Any memorials can be made to the Hospice House of your choice.

Condolences may be sent to the family online at: www.bunchjohnsonfuneralhome.com.

Bunch-Johnson Funeral Home of Statesville is entrusted with the arrangements.