Sara Frances Johnson Baine

Sara was born on September 2, 1934, in Greenwood Mississippi to Marion Hunter Johnson and Lorena Davis Eades Johnson. She was an only child and grew up in the small town of Cruger in the Mississippi Delta. “Sara Frances” was a believer in Jesus as a child and trusted in God’s love for her even in difficult situations.
After graduating from high school, Sara attended Millsaps College, a Methodist college in Jackson, Mississippi, obtaining a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education The years she spent there were some of the happiest of her life; she spoke often about her experiences there.
Sara graduated from college in three and half years and married her high school sweetheart, Harvey Julius Baine III, on January 16, 1956. After getting married, Sara began teaching school. After Harvey finished his education and the training for his job with the National Credit Union Administration, he and Sara settled in Memphis, Tennessee. They were there for ten years during which time they had three children, Little Harvey, Rena, and Bryan. Sara loved being a mother and was very nurturing and taught her children about God and made sure they were involved in church, Sunday School, and youth ministry.
Harvey’s job then took the family to California, New Jersey, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania, finally settling in Fairfax, Virginia.
Sara taught school in the various states in which they lived. In addition to teaching, Sara took on many duties in the local churches where the family resided. She taught children’s Sunday school, served with the United Methodist Women, served on missions’ committees, led Vacation Bible School, served as a Stephen Minister (helping an elderly woman), and served in other various roles. Sara was a talented speaker and was often called on to make announcements or lead in prayer.
Sara also served in other Christian outreaches such as Meals on Wheels, Fairfax Christian Ministries (helping with local needs), and Prison Ministry.
After Harvey’s death in 2004, Sara moved to Appomattox, Virginia to be near her son and grandchildren. Then began one of her greatest joys – taking care of her grandchildren!
Sara enjoyed music, especially Elvis and “Old Blue Eyes”, Frank Sinatra! She was known for her dancing, especially the jitterbug! She also liked to read and could get into a good romantic comedy. Sara had the gift of gab! She enjoyed knowing people’s life stories, and seeing her interest, people naturally opened up to her.
Sara was a deeply spiritual, compassionate, kind woman and she will be missed.
Sara is preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and her son, Harvey Julius Baine IV.
She is survived by her daughter, Sara Lorena (Rena) Baine, her son, Bryan Johnson Baine, her daughter-in-law, Debbie, and her grandchildren, Gordon McEachern, Emily Virginia (Ginny), Delia Mae Eggleston, and Hannah Lee.
A memorial service will be held at Memorial Methodist Church, 403 Court Street, Appomattox, Virginia on December 4, 2024, at 4:00 pm with Dr. Mark Allen officiating.
If you would like to give a memorial in Sara’s name, you may consider Memorial Methodist Church Missions Committee, P.O. Box 9, Appomattox, VA 24522 or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.
Robinson Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the family, www.robinsonfhome.com