Obituaries – Their Stories Live On

Katherine Hairston of Beckley, WV transcended to be with the Lord on Thursday, May 4, 2017 at home following an extended illness.

She was born on May 9, 1926 in Eccles WV to the union of Nancy Jo Stovall and Sandy Stovall and pursued her education in Glen Rogers, WV.

Katherine, affectionately known as "Miss Kat" and "Kat", was a dedicated and faithful member of Mt. Zion Baptist Church, Beckley, WV under the pastorate of the late Rev. Nelson Staples Jr. until sickness took a toll on her.

She was employed by Beckley Hospital for many years as head dietitian. After leaving Beckley Hospital, she was employed by Raleigh General Hospital for many years as head dietitian until she retired.

Her passions included spending quality time with all of her family and cooking.

Katherine was the glue that held her family together through the good times, bad times, happy times and sad times. She was truly her family's "Rock of Gibraltar".

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Tucker Hairston; one son, Michael Gail; two daughters, Connie Hairston and Ramonia Pannell; one great-granddaughter, Roxy Murray; three brothers, Wilbert Stovall, Sam Stovall and Percy Stovall and five sisters, Emma Wade, Goldie Stovall, Mary Robinson, Cleo Hoover and Lorraine Balfour.

She leaves to cherish the precious memories of her life two loving daughters, Claudia Green of Brooklyn, NY and Clarice (Ronnie) Boyden of Beckley, WV; ten God-sent grandchildren, George Vincent (Alicia) Hairston, Daryl (Freda) Green and Altovise (Raymond) DalCortivo, all of Brooklyn, NY, Tucker (Yvette) Hairston of Oak Hill, WV, James "Lamont" (Tanielle) Brown of Raleigh, NC, Kathy Hairston, Cheniqua Hairston and Talbert (TJ) Pannell Il, all of Beckley, WV, Farrah "Rhonica" (Ronald "RJ") Murray of Brandywine, MD and Falon Boyden of Charleston, WV; twenty-two great-grandchildren and a host of great-great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.

Celebration of Life service will be Thursday, May 11, 2017 at Mt. Zion Baptist Church, 142 Mool Avenue, Beckley, WV where the Rev. Nelson Staples, III will be officiating. Entombment will follow in Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens Mausoleum, Prosperity, WV. Visitation will be from 12:00Noon to 1:00PM at the church. The service will begin at 1:00P.M.

Condolences may be emailed to ritchie-johnson@suddenlinkmail.com

The family wishes to extend special thanks to ARH Home Health.

Arrangements entrusted to Ritchie & Johnson Funeral Parlor, Beckley, WV.