Mr. Eldridge Lee Hairston , 83, of Rural Hall, NC passed away Friday December 22, 2006 at Northeast Trauma Medical Center in Concord, NC. Eldridge was born in Forsyth County on July 4, 1923, the son of William David and Bessie Williams Hairston.

He was a charter member of United Metropolitan Missionary Baptist Church. He served as a Senior Usher, a member of the Sunday Church School, and the Men's Bible Class.

Eldridge was retired from R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company with 37 years of service at Factories #4, #12, and Whitaker Park. Eldridge was a veteran of the U.S. Army, having served during WWII.

Eldridge found time for community and social interests in addition to church, family and vocational responsibilities. He was involved with Winston Lake Retired Men's Club (YMCA) and the Emorywood/Spanish Oak Community Association.

Many persons are keenly affected by the loss of Eldridge, Most profoundly impacted are his loving wife, Mary Hinton Hairston; children, Don Hairston of Minneola, Florida, Harmon E. Hinton of Winston-Salem, NC, Sandra H. Brown (James) of Mitchellville, Maryland, and Kimberly Hinton-Robinson of Rural Hall, NC; a brother, Dr. James R. Hairston (Jannie) of Omaha, Nebraska; a sister, Celestine H. Monroe of Winston-Salem, NC. He is also survived by six grandchildren, Owen Hinton, Hytheia Riggsbee (Walter), Crystal Hinton, Tamara Brown, Byron Brown, and Kyhanna McCall; grand-pa-pa to Christina Hinton, Destiny Hinton, and Alston Riggsbee; a devoted friend, John Kilroy; and a host of other relatives and friends.

Funeral services will be held at 12 Noon Friday, December 29, 2006 at United Metropolitan Missionary Baptist Church with the Reverend Price Raney Rivers officiating. Interment will follow in Evergreen Cemetery. Family visitation will be held from 11am until 12 Noon Friday at the church.

Online condolences can be made at www.russellfuneralservice.com (RUSSELL)