Zada Willene Lucinda (Stowe) Hairston

Zada Willene Lucinda Stowe Hairston, 102, of Williamson, West Virginia, departed this life on Monday, November 1, 2021 in Tug Valley ARH Regional Medical Center in South Williamson, Kentucky.  She was born on March 17, 1919 in Belmont, North Carolina to the late Robert James and Mary Grier Stowe.

Mrs. Hairston was a graduate of Reid School, which was later known as Reid High School.  She received her Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education from Southern West Virginia Community College in 1975.  She worked for over thirty years in the Mingo County Head Start Program.

Mrs. Hairston accepted Christ at an early age and joined the Mount Pleasant Missionary Baptist Church in Belmont, North Carolina and was an active member.  She devoted much of her time to the missionary department and enjoyed working with the youth.  She was a devout Christian and became a member of the Logan First Baptist Church in 1946 when she married the Late Deacon Elbert P.F. Hairston. She served as Deaconess, Assistant Sunday School Superintendent, Sunday School Teacher, Vacation Bible School Teacher, Senior Choir member, Charter member and President of the Nannie B. Perkins Guild, President of the Pastor’s Aid Club and Pastor’s Appreciation Day, Assistant Secretary of the Rose of Sharon Missionary Society, and Junior Mission Counselor.  She was the head counselor of the Tug River District Junior Missionary and Educational Convention. She was a long-standing member and treasurer of the Williamson Branch of the NAACP and one of the original counselors of the Williamson Branch of the NAACP Youth Council.  Mrs. Hairston was also a member and secretary of the Alpha Kappa Chapter of the Eta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated.

Mrs. Hairston has been the recipient of many awards over the years. In 2016 and at the age of 97, she received the Distinguished Mountaineer Award, which is the highest honor the West Virginia governor can bestow upon a non-native resident.  The award was presented by Former Governor Earl Ray Tomblin for her outstanding contributions throughout her lifetime. She was the Recipient of the Believe, Achieve, Succeed Award from Southern West Virginia Community College in 2010 and 2016.  Mrs. Hairston was recognized in 2018 by the Women’s Auxiliary of the West Virginia Baptist State Convention.

Mrs. Hairston lived a life dedicated to love and service to the Lord and her fellowman.  She was loving to everyone and said that she “loved on purpose.“  She reminded us often that “we are not born just to be born, but we are all born for a purpose in God’s Masterful Plan, not only for our own lives, but in the lives of others.”

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Elbert Percy Foster Hairston; infant son, Percy Washington Hairston; three brothers, Clarence Washington Stowe, Allen Cephas Stowe, and Grier Willis Stowe; one sister, Sarah Stowe Davison and son-in-law Wayne Robinson Jones.

She deeply loved and was committed to her family, and they deeply loved her.  Children born to their blessed union, and who thank and praise God for her life include; Mary Willene (Henry) Moore and Eleanor Sue (Wayne) Jones both of Williamson, WV; Nancy Carroll (Aniedi) Abasiekong of Shelby, NC; Elizabeth Ann (Ronnie) Hill of Belmont, NC; Cynthia Jane (James) Hicks of Gastonia, NC; Elbert Stowe (Edelinda) Hairston of Belmont, NC; and Vivian Kay (Vance) Blade of Louisville, KY; eighteen (18) grandchildren and eleven (11) great-grandchildren, Patrick (Vanessa-Patrick Jr., Faith); Stacie; Susan (Dennis-Briella, Bryson); Henry (Amber-Mykah, Aniyah, Judah); Jillian (Darren); Leah; John; Michael (Hailey); Sarah (David-Dezmon, Rayana, David); Amy (Andrew); Nelson; Elbert A. (Caryn); Travis; Wayne; Braxton; Alivia, Percy (Danista-Novak) and Jocelyn; step-grandchildren, Rita Hill Bailey and Cory Hill, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and many beloved friends.

Mrs. Hairston’s grandsons will serve as pallbearers; Patrick Hairston, Henry Moore, John Alexander, Michael Abasiekong, Elbert A. Hairston, Nelson Hicks, Travis Hicks, Wayne Jones, Braxton Hicks, Percy Blade, Darren Brown, David Bradshaw, Dennis English, and Andrew Jones Haug.

Honorary Pallbearers: Deacons of Logan Street First Baptist Church; Henry R. Moore and Walter Childress, Sr.; Minister George Childress, Rudolph Blackwell, Richard Wright and nephews:  Willis Stowe,  David Stowe, Jim Stowe, Durene Moore, Palmer Gilmore, Bradford Humphrey, III and Harold Holmes.

The granddaughters will serve as flower bearers:  Stacie Abasiekong, Susan English, Jillian Brown, Leah Alexander, Sarah Bradshaw, Amy Jones Haug, Alivia Blade, Jocelyn Hicks, Vanessa Hairston, Amber Moore, Hailey Abasiekong, Caryn Hairston and Danista Blade. 

The members of the Nannie B. Perkins Guild and Rose of Sharon Missionary Society; and nieces:  Carol Stowe, Doris Moore, Betty Gilmore, Jean Humphrey, Iris Cooley, Ann Holmes, Martha Mitchell, Dorothy Hairston and Rita Hairston will serve as flower bearers.

The Celebration of Life Service will be held on Saturday, November 6, 2021 at 2:00 p.m. at the Logan Street First Baptist Church in Williamson, West Virginia.  The Reverend Gerald Dotson, Pastor will officiate.  Visitation for family and friends will be Saturday, November 6, 2021 from 12:00 noon until 2:00 p.m. at Logan Street First Baptist Church in Williamson, West Virginia.

The final Homegoing Celebration for Mrs. Hairston’s life will be Monday, November 8, 2021 at 12:00 noon at the Mount Pleasant Missionary Baptist Church in Belmont, North Carolina where the Reverend Michael A. Glenn, Pastor will officiate.  Mrs. Zada Stowe Hairston will be laid to rest at Henry’s Chapel Cemetery in Belmont, North Carolina.

Additionally, visitation for family and friends will be Monday, November 8, 2021 from 11:00 a.m. until 12 noon at Mount Pleasant Missionary Baptist Church in Belmont, North Carolina.

COVID-19 Protocol will be adhered to, which includes social distancing and the wearing of masks at both services.

Vaccinated immediate and extended family members are invited to attend the service at Mount Pleasant Missionary Baptist Church in Belmont, North Carolina.

Interment at Henry’s Chapel Cemetery in Belmont, North Carolina is open to the public.

Flowers and donations are welcome.  Donations can be made to Berea College in memory of Mrs. Zada Stowe Hairston, and checks can be sent by mail to:  Alumni, Communications and Philanthropy; Attention-Brent Riley, Berea College, CPO 2216, Berea KY 40404. *Include "In memory of Zada Stowe Hairston" in the memo or in an attached note.  Credit card gifts can be made online at:  www.berea.edu/give; select red 'GIVE NOW' option.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Gregory-Page Funeral Home and the Grier Funeral Service of Charlotte, North Carolina.

The Homegoing Services on Monday, November 8th at Mt Pleasant Missionary Baptist Church in Belmont, North Carolina will be live-streamed. Visit their website at https//mtpleasantbelmont.org for the link.

To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Zada Willene Lucinda (Stowe) Hairston, please visit our Tree Store.