Walter Edward Hairston, Sr.

Walter Edward Hairston, Sr, was born on July 8, 1940, to the late Johnnie and Laura Hairston-
Lambert, of Cumberland, VA. Over his life span he acquired many aka (aka – Edward, PAPA
H, Cannonball) from people he socialized with Mr. H received his wings and entered eternity on
November 17, 2022.
Mr. H was a man of great character, who enjoyed life to the fullest. He was a loving and caring
father that looked out for family as well as a multitude of neighborhood residents in and around
the community. The man has a memory like an Elephant, so we would say don’t tell him you
are going to do something/take care of a small task and you don’t do it, because weeks,
months, years later he will tell you about it. He was very organized in all aspects of life,
extremely direct, witty, and supportive of those who asked him for help/advice. We never
removed any of his 3X5 cards that he had posted around the house of things he would get tired
of saying over-and-over.
He accepted Christ as young child while attending Cornerstone Baptist Church, Farmville, Va.
Pops would tell how he and William (his brother) would get up early in the morning every day to
do their work especially on Sundays before having to walk a mile to church, once there they
would sit on the hard bench for what seemed like all day (he used other language to tell me this
part). Pops said, he could not wait to the - -- out of there.
He spent his work history employed with Longwood College Slater ARA 1959-1963 as a First
Cook; Stackpole Inc. 1959-1988 as line assembly; and Commonwealth of Viriginia Department
of Corrections in Nottaway, Va.1988-2003, before he retired in May 2003. Mr. H used his
personal time to make an impact within the community by getting involved in services to help
the community: a long-time member of the Farmville Elks Lodge #269. Because of personal
and health reasons he was an in-active member, he volunteered with Farmville Rescue Squad
as an Emergency Medical Tech (EMT); he coached Little League baseball (Parkview Braves)
along-side his assistant Henry (Red) Scott. He received his Technology educational Certificate
from Eastern Michigan University for Statistical Process Control which is part of Quality
Assurance. He received his General Education Diploma (GED) in the mail after 30+ years from
the Virginia Department of Education due to Robert Russa Morton school being closed in the
early year of 1950’s because of segregation in the school system.
Mr. H was preceded in death by his late wife Bernice H. Hairston, his mother Laura H Lambert,
his father Johnnie (BO) Hairston, his stepfather Samuel Lambert and his brother William
Hairston.
Mr. H leaves to cherish his loving memories with, his sister-in-law Delphine Brown-Hairston of
Farmville, VA, six (6) children’s; Jenette Holcomb of Farmville, VA, Sharrod Sr (Jamar) of
Fayetteville, NC, Walter Jr (Dr. Carol) of Raeford, NC, Angela (Will) of Cumberland, VA, Keith
(Shirley) of Farmville, VA, and Rodney (Laura) of Prospect, VA., 18 grandchildren, 33 great
grandchildren, two (2) great-great grandchild, a host of nieces, nephews, and first cousins by
name are: Mary Crawley, of Farmville, Walter Pryor of Cumberland with 2 children, Norah Pryor

of Cumberland, VA, Oille Pryor of Pennsyvania with 2 sons and James Pryor of Farmville, Va.
with 1 son, Ethel M. Smith of Washington DC and dear family friends.
FAMILY REMARKS:

In Memory of our Loving and Dedicated Father
We know how much you
Loved, Cared, Provided for us
and each time we think of you,
your memories we will miss you.
Tomorrow our lives starts without you
We do understand that OUR GOD
came and called your
Name and took you by the hand
Love, Family

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