Queen Dorothy Mae Hairston-Crockett

God saw that she was getting tired and took her into his arms to rest.

Dorothy Mae Hairston-Crockett was born on March 8, 1930. She was the sixth of seven children born to the late Rev. Dr. Robert F. Hairston Sr. And Arizona Clayton Hairston of Columbus, Ohio. She entered eternal rest on April 10, 2022 at 7:51am in Columbus, Ohio.

At an early age she was baptized at Refuge Baptist Church where her father was the founder and pastor for 62 years. Dorothy was an active member and the minister of music. At the age of 12 years old she begin playing the piano for the Refuge Baptist Church mid-week prayer and Bible Study services. Also, at the age of 12, she began playing for the Refuge Missionary Baptist Church Junior Choir, the church Sunday School and the Willing Workers Choir. In 1948 Dorothy Mae commences playing for the Refuge Baptist Church Gospel Choir. Using her musical skills and leadership ability, the Refuge Baptist Church choir was recognized as the best unparalleled choir in the City of Columbus and the state of Ohio. More than 100 devoted individuals regularly sung with the choir every first and third Sunday during morning and evening worship services filled with worshipers.

During February of 2004, Pastor Kaiser W. Jones was spiritually led to enhance the music ministry of Refuge Missionary Baptist Church. To accomplish this divine objective and being informed by several church members of Dorothy Mae’s musical skills, Pastor Jones dialogued with Dorothy Mae about expanding the music ministry. Dorothy being humble, sweet and spiritual as she was and out of respect for her Pastor willingly accepted to assist in expanding the music ministry without the offered pay. She felt honored and her service was to the glory of God. After much prayer, with her cell phone in one hand and her laptop in her other hand, Dorothy Mae was on a mission to bring a choir together by contacting former choir members and friends. Eighty-six individuals made up the choir. With Pastor Jones permission, the choir was named, K. W. Jones Jr., Choir. After one month, consisting of four rehearsals, the first appearance of the K. W. Jones Jr choir was on Sunday, March 28, 2004. It was a great day in Refuge. After several years at the age of 74, prayerfully and humbly, Dorothy Mae decided it was time to give the younger generation a chance to lead the music ministry.

Dorothy Mae was employed by the Internal Revenue Services (IRS). While working a full-time job, she was a student at Ohio State University (night school). Dorothy Mae resigned from her position with the IRS and was hired by the Columbus, Ohio based Defense Construction Supply Center (DCSC) where she remained for more than 30 years. After Dorothy Mae retired, she cared for more than 50 God children and several disabled adults, who all lived in her home. Dorothy Mae was a founding lifelong member of the Board of Directors of the National Hairston Clan, Incorporated.

Preceding Dorothy Mae in transition were her sister Ruby Hairston and brothers Mathew Hairston, Rev. Robert F. Hairston Jr. and Attorney Alonzo Hairston. She is survived by her 6 children Deborah Pounds, Robert C. Pounds Jr., Rev. Dr. Roderick C. Pounds Sr. (Deborah), Dorothy Michelle Pounds, Ashley Harris (Truman) and David Crockett; brother Marvin Hairston. In addition, she is survived by 15 grandchildren Darena Pounds, Dorlisa Storey (James), Jeffrey L Hammonds Jr. (Melanie), Roderick C. Pounds Jr. (Saebra), Shannon Gray (Jason), Ryan Pounds, Xavion Edmonds, Sincere Gleaton, Essence Gleaton, Liam Harris. Tahlia Harris, Shamya Crockett, Sonia Smith and Leia Lucas; 21 great grandchildren and 7 great-great grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends who have shared her life.