Sara Jo Bell Hedgepeth, 92 of Franklin, passed away on May 18, 2022.

Sara Jo was born in Guilford County, to the late Joseph Bell and Minnie Garris Bell.

Sara Jo loved her family and enjoyed collecting dolls, golf, traveling, needlework, cooking, reading, her cat Muzzy, visiting the beach and playing games. Sara Jo was a skilled and very musical piano player, having played since the age of 5. She was a member of Monday Morning Music Makers, a Cub Scout Den Mother, and the Little Bridge Club and Happy Bookers Book Club in Franklin. Those who knew Sara Jo, will always remember her cooking, especially her fudge, fried chicken, homemade pimento cheese, pear preserves, homemade soup, biscuits, waffles, spaghetti, and poundcakes.

Sara Jo was active in the Ladies Auxiliary of the Professional Engineers of North Carolina (PENC), and the National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE). She served as president of The Ladies Auxiliary of the NSPE from 1986-1987. Prior to this she had served as the president of the PENC South Piedmont Chapter and vice president of the Southeast Region Auxiliary of NSPE. She also received a NC State College Good Wife diploma and worked at Albemarle Road Junior High School and Belmont Abbey College.

Sara Jo is survived by her husband of 71 years, Elbert Hedgepeth Jr; her sons, Nelson Hedgepeth (Beth), Byron Hedgepeth (Elise), Tommy Hedgepeth (Angela): 8 grandchildren, and 11 great grandchildren.

A service will be held on Sunday, June 5, 2022, at 4:00pm at First United Methodist Church in Franklin, NC.
Rev. David Beam will officiate.

A visitation will be held from 2:30pm until 4:00pm prior to the service.

In Lieu of flowers, Memorial Donations can be made to First United Methodist Church of Franklin, NC.

Online condolences can be made at www.maconfuneralhome.com

Macon Funeral Home will be handling the arrangements.