Kenneth Poe Funeral Services

March 2, 2026

CHARLOTTE – Robert (Bob) Craig Carraway, 81, of Charlotte, NC, passed away peacefully on Monday, March 2, 2026, surrounded by loved ones.

Bob was born on November 19, 1944, in Miami, FL to Bert and Bette Carraway.  Born while his father was serving in WWII, he lived in many places as the son of a Naval officer, including Guam, Morocco, South Carolina, Florida and Virginia.  Naturally outgoing and personable, he made friends everywhere he went.

He married his first wife, Mikki Walsh, in 1967 and had one daughter, Kelly Carraway Straub. Though they eventually divorced, Mikki and Bob remained lifelong friends.

Bob married the love of his life, Debi Carder, in 1988 and lived in Herndon, VA until moving to Charlotte in 1994.  Bob and Debi enjoyed boating, the symphony, gardening, and playing games such as Rumikub and Spades with his daughter, Kelly, stepchildren, Erin and Scott Carder, and extended family.

In 1999, Bob retired from Xerox after a 30-year career, which afforded him more free time to earn his Master Gardener status and to volunteer at the Southminster Retirement Community helping seniors become more confident technology users.  After becoming a widow, Bob added a new hobby -- flipping houses, the perfect hobby for someone who possessed both construction and financial acumen.  After Bob was introduced to the game of bridge, he became a skilled player and advocate for the game.  Through bridge, he made a new group of close friends and eventually convinced his youngest sister Kathy Bailey and her husband Robert to learn the game.

Some of the happiest days in Bob’s life were those spent with his daughter Kelly, her husband Bob Straub, and their daughters, Sydney and Camryn.  After the Straub family moved to Florida, he purchased a condo in Ponte Vedra Beach so he could visit them regularly.  Bob was an incredibly proud dad and grandfather, prone to gushing about Kelly’s career accomplishments, the girls' academic excellence, Sydney's accomplishments in swimming and Camryn's softball success, but above all, he was proud of their kindness.

Bob never lost his sense of humor and positive attitude despite his recent health challenges.  He will be remembered by his family and friends as a smart, generous, funny, kind, and joyful person.  He could fix anything and was often called on to help with everything from a leaky faucet to a malfunctioning car. Fortunately, he owned (multiples of) every tool and gadget and was happy to lend his treasures to family and friends.  Always the teacher, he loved passing his knowledge on by showing others how to fix things themselves.

Bob is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Kelly and Bob Straub; his granddaughters, Sydney and Camryn Straub; his sister, Kathy Carraway Bailey and her husband, Robert Bailey; his eight nieces and nephews, and eleven great-nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his wife, Debi; his parents, Bert and Bette; his sister, Coleen Carraway Marshall; and his brother, Bertram Reid Carraway II.

A private celebration of life will be held later this year for family.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be offered in memory of Bob to the Levine & Dickson Hospice House at Southminster, 8919 Park Road, Charlotte, NC 28210.

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.