Elder Viola Hairston Sterling was born on August 23, 1933 to the late John and Gladys Hairston in Winston-Salem, NC. She departed this life November 29, 2014 at Forsyth Medical Center.

She was educated in the Forsyth County Public Schools. She was a former employee of Maya Angelou many years upon her retirement.

She was the Founder and Pastor of Amazing Faith Apostolic Church, Inc. She was a holy, loving, and compassionate Pastor. She was truly loved and will be greatly missed by her church family.

She was preceded in death by her loving husband Mr. Ray Sterling, Sr.; three sisters, Elder Bertha Barksdale, Mother Ruby Ruth, and Mother Betty Hairston; and a daughter, Missionary Gralyn Ann Draft.

She leaves to cherish her precious memories a son, Bishop Ray (Karen) Sterling, Jr; a daughter, Gracie JoAnn (Robert) Byrd; eight grandchildren, Ray Sterling III, Christie (Austin) Sterling-Moore, Bishop John, Sherbie, and Consuelo Draft, Michelle and Michael Wilson, and Charles Westmoreland; a loving niece, Vanessa (Anthony) Gibbs; a great niece, Temeka Abbott; and a host of nieces, nephews, great grandchildren, family and friends.

Funeral services will be held at 12noon Friday, December 5, 2014 at the Russell Funeral Home Chapel. Interment will follow in Piedmont Memorial Gardens. The family visitation will be held from 11am until 12noon on Friday at the Chapel.