Jeffery J. Hairston

Jeffery James Hairston, age 60, unexpectedly went to be with the Lord on November 24, 2020. Jeffery was born on July 3, 1960 to the late Ida Mae Woods and Jesse J. Hairston in Welch, West Virginia. Jeffery moved to Columbus, Ohio with his mother and siblings as a teenager. He attended Linden McKinley High School but never gave up the hope of becoming a graduate and earned his GED later – immensely proud of his accomplishment. Jeff resided in Columbus until his untimely passing and was lovingly referred to by many as “Daddy”, “Pops”, “Big Jeff” and “Uncle Jeff”.

Jeff was formerly married to Tamra “Tami” L. Hairston and that union formed a family of 3 children whom he loved very dearly. Big Jeff was a family man and fiercely protected them, was very outgoing, full of energy and loved being part of his community – North Linden. Jeff became a believer of the Muslim faith in the early 80’s and adapted most of the Muslim traditions into his life. Jeff held various positions within The Linden Resources Center with Executive Director Terry Towns. He formed a community clean-up crew with his son Lil’ Jeff and other teenagers in the North Linden area during the summers, under the direction of Boyce Stafford III. Jeff was also a bus driver for St. Stephens Community Center, COTA, and CABS for OSU students & athletes. He also installed drywall for many years. Of all his various jobs, Big Jeff was most compassionate about computers and was excellent at programming and repairing them. He also worked at OSU installing computer systems after earning his certification as an IT technician. Big Jeff was passionate about all genres of music and playing the piano, organ and Casio keyboards. It brought him overwhelming joy. He had an uncanny ability to play music on the keyboard by ear. He loved fishing, going on boating trips, lifting weights, playing pool, watching Jeopardy, raising dogs, family reunions and he especially loved to DJ at parties.

Big Jeff is survived by his sons Jeffrey “Lil Jeff” A. (Kimyahta) Hairston and JaJuan J. Hairston and only daughter, born on his birthday Jasmine S. Hairston. He loved all of his children unconditionally and was extremely proud of them for becoming black-owned entrepreneurs.

Big Jeff and Tami were foster parents for many years. He loved all of them, especially “T-Weezy” Terrance Williams. Jeff is preceded in death by brothers Charles Lee (Ann) Woods, Rodney L. (Tami) Woods, Gary Jerome Woods, and his grandson Jeffrey T. “Baby Jeff” Hairston. Big Jeff leaves to cherish his memories his brother, Ray A. Woods, sister Benita S. Hairston, grandchildren Niyana L. Hairston and JaVion A. Hairston, great-grandchildren Averi M. and Antonio A. Shamburger, and a host of other family members, cousins and friends and will be sadly missed by all.

Visitation 11:00am and Funeral 12:00pm Friday, December 11, 2020 at True Love Ministries, 1634 Minnesota Ave.

Interment at Evergreen Burial Park.