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, NC 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 Street 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 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 and Technical 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, 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-children, Rita Hill Bailey and Cory Hill, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and many beloved friends.