Eugene Hairston, Sr. was born November 20, 1941 to Sylvester Brown and Sadie Ivey Hairston. He passed away March 28, 2018.

He graduated from Atkins High School and attended WSSU. Eugene retired from the Housing Authority of Winston-Salem, NC and he was a veteran of the US Navy.

Eugene was preceded in death by his parents; six brothers; and one sister.

Eugene leaves to cherish his memory his wife Ernestine M. Hairston; three daughters, Karen H. Richardson of Bishopville, SC, Tarra (Anthony Vargas) Ellis of Charlotte, NC, and Denara Hairston of Winston-Salem, NC; two sons, Eugene Hairston, Jr., and Shawn (Cynthia) Johnson both of Winston-Salem, NC; one brother, Melvin N. (Peggy) Hairston of Winston-Salem, NC; his mother-in-law, Itasca Miles; 15 grandchildren; 17 great grandchildren; a very special niece, Joyce Mack; a special granddaughter, Tanika Hairston of Elk Ridge, MD; special friends, Dianna Robinson of Winston-Salem, NC and Hiram (Betty) Blackburn of Newark, NJ; and a host of other relatives and friends.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00pm Monday, April 2, 2018 at the Russell Funeral Home Chapel with Bishop Claude C. Turner officiating. The family visitation will be held from 12:00noon until 1:00pm on Monday at the Chapel. Interment will be held at 10:00am Tuesday, April 3, 2018 in Salisbury National Cemetery.