Mrs. Jeannette Bailey Hairston, 70, departed this life on Sunday, September 23, 2007 in Columbus, OH. She was born on July 29, 1937 in Winston-Salem, NC to Louise Reaves Bailey and William McKinley Bailey, Sr. She lived a wonderful life with her parents and seven siblings as they grew up on Bailey Street and in Happy Hill Gardens. Jeannette accepted Christ at an early age at the Rising Ebenezer Church under the pastorate of Reverend Leonard Macon. She completed her elementary and secondary education in the public schools of Winston-Salem, NC and graduated from Atkins High School in 1955.

Jeannette was joined in holy matrimony to the love of her life, Leon Hairston in 1960. To this union five sons were born. The family lived a full life and Jeannette was a wonderful homemaker for her family. While Jeannette worked various jobs including RJ Reynolds Tobacco Company and Reynolds High School, her main job was providing a home for her family. "Ma was a wonderful mother," say's her boys, "She could always provide a meal even after we had searched the kitchen high and low and found nothing." Jeannette had a love for beautiful things. She kept her children and herself neat and well dressed at all times. She also kept her home immaculate and beautiful.

She was a member of Shiloh Baptist Church, where she attended regularly until failing health.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Leon Henderson Hairston; her parents, McKinley and Louise Bailey; three brothers, Jerome "Bo-Peep" Morgan, William "Kenny" McKinley Bailey, Jr. and James Edward Bailey; and one sister, Mary Louise Bailey.

Jeannette is survived by five sons, Curtis Hiram Hairston, Anthony Leon Hairston, Bernard Levon (Dawn Renee) Hairston, Daryl Reginald (Karen) Hairston, and Edmond Christopher (Shirley) Hairston; three grandsons, Andrew Reginald Hairston, Ian Christopher Hairston, and Jordon Jamal Hairston; one granddaughter, Angela Rachelle Hairston; three sisters, Virginia Bailey Cuthrell, Aurelia Bailey Stribling, and Marilyn Bailey; five sisters-in-law, Ernestine H. (Rev. Ortha) Richardson, Brenda H. (Bishop Lawrence) Tate, Carolyn H. (Arnold) Thompson Hairston, Lottie Bailey, and Katherine Hairston; two uncles, Lawrence (Ruth) Reaves and June Reeves; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Funeral services will be conducted at 11am Saturday, September 29, 2007 from the Shiloh Baptist Church with Reverend Dr. Paul A. Lowe, Jr. officiating. Interment will follow in Piedmont Memorial Gardens. The family visitation will be held from 10am until 11am Saturday at the Church.