Lillian Hairston

Mother Lillian Viola Hairston, born to Charley Gravely and Lillie Griggs on January 19, 1922, went home to be with the Lord on Thursday, July 13, 2017. Although she was born in Axton, Virginia, Lillian considered Martinsville, Virginia her home. She fondly spoke of her childhood with her siblings and cousins in the countryside.

In 1948, she married Carty Hairston and moved to Columbus, Ohio with three daughters in tow. In Columbus, Lillian completed her family with an addition of four more children. Lillian had a deep love for her family and she raised her seven children on her own after the death of her husband. She eventually became a member of Higher Ground Always Abounding Assemblies where she served on the Mother’s Board and in The Kitchen Ministry. Lillian was a stellar chef known for her hamburgers and fries, potato salad, skins, fried chicken, cabbage, banana pudding, and most of all, her Kool-Aid!

A modest woman, she never cared much for makeup and fancy attire, but she always cared for the well-being of her family and friends. Lillian was a dedicated mother who poured herself into her children and every new addition to her family of four generations. She was also a mother to the neighborhood children of 20th Avenue. Lillian’s life exemplified the love of Christ. She never met a stranger, she always saw the best in people, and her arms were always open to anyone in trouble. She was an intelligent, strong, and humble woman of God. Her life motto was, “My wish is for all people to be good to each other.” Because of Lillian, we know the true meaning of giving, family, and love. We were blessed to have her for 95 years and she will deeply be missed.

She was preceded in death by her parents Charley Gravely and Lillie Griggs, nine siblings of the Gravely family, husband, Carty Hairston, and granddaughter, Moniqua Hairston. Left to cherish her memory are children: Juanita (Floyd) Evans, Goldean Hairston, Lenda Newman, Mary (Richard) James, Carty (Dorothy) Hairston Jr., Jerry (Tasha) Hairston, and Carla (Anthony) Watson; sister, Sallie Hairston and companion, Frank Collie, and brother, Joseph (Hildreth) Gravely; special son-in-laws, Warren Jenkins I and Dr. Billy R. Newman; and a host of grandchildren, great grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Mother Hairston will lie in state at 5:00pm, family will receive friends at 6:00pm and Home Going Service will begin at 7:00pm Friday, July 21, 2017 at Higher Ground Always Abounding Assemblies 870 St. Clair Ave.

Interment Saturday, July 22, 2017 at Green Lawn Cemetery.