Obituaries – Their Stories Live On

LOLENE ELIZABETH HUGHES HAIRSTON “TODAY IS THE TOMORROW THAT WE WORRIED ABOUT YESTERDAY. AND ALL IS WELL”

We all endure a process of becoming … who we are meant to become. Most of us fundamentally think of life as a burden. Life is but a process, by which we ultimately chiseled, by The Almighty God according to His plan, into who we will be, and assigned to what effect we will have on the world.

Lolene was born October 26, 1921 in Rocky Mount, VA. Lolene was the oldest child of six children born to the late Dave and Lula Wade Hughes. Lolene’s deep rooted Christian faith carried her through several difficult times. Through it all, she never gave up hope. A child of God born at the onset of the Depression, sired in the heart of Rocky Mount, VA and the WV coal mines. Depending on your perspective, Lolene as she was called, had extreme good luck or misfortune, to be the daughter of a school teacher and a farmer. Her mother died when she was twelve. After her mother transitioned, she had to help her father raise her three siblings because two died at an early age. Shortly thereafter, her father relocated to Skelton, WV to become a coal miner.

By her mother being a teacher, this no doubt influenced her love for reading, music, sewing, gardening and cooking. She began her education in Rocky Mount, VA and later educated in the public Schools of Raleigh County and showed signs of high intellect at an early age demonstrating her vast knowledge in home economics, clothing/textiles and honed in on her culinary skills. She remained there while attending Stratton High School in Beckley, WV. Lolene Hughes was united in Holy Matrimony to Colonel Pete “C.P.” Hairston on April 20, 1940. Colonel Pete passed April 26, 1963 at the age of 62 in Beckley, WV.

Lolene is survived by her daughters, Dorothy J. Shoto (late Walter France and the late Larry Shoto) of Toledo, OH, M. Lois Breckenridge (Earl Breckenridge) of Columbus, OH and Christine V. Fortune (late Robert Fortune) of Beckley, WV and special niece, Priscilla “Pep” Amerson of Dayton, OH; thirteen grandchildren, Pamela Renee Mackey, Walter France Jr., Stephanie Douglas, Jerome France, Tammy Fortune Coles, Earl Breckenridge, Jr., Lisa Bishop, Bonita France, Timothy France, Doral White, Tonya Fortune Smith (Floyd Smith), Alicia Hairston Dabney (Davon Dabney), Aliyah Hairston and a host of great-grandchildren, other relatives and many friends.

Lolene is preceded in death by her parents; spouse of twenty-three years, Colonel Pete Hairston; five siblings, William Hughes, Christine Pannell, Russell Hughes; two siblings who died at an early age, as well as three children, daughter, Francis A. Thomas; son, Richard C. Hairston and step-son, Bill Koger.

Our beloved Lolene enjoyed her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was affectionately known by friends, family and colleagues as Lolene, Grandma, and Nanny by her love, Alicia “AJ” Dabney, who brought her back to life while in hospice on September 3, 2020. All of her grandchildren believed that each one was her favorite grandchild; that’s how she made each one of them feel. Lolene’s immediate family was the source of her greatest love and pride. She was eager to express these feelings at a moment’s notice. There were nights of watching World Wrestling Entertainment with her grandchildren, storytelling, listening to the blues, old hymns, gospel music, and mornings eating breakfast, sipping coffee while reading the Beckley Post Herald, she received via mail subscription. Her greatest loves were her children and grandchildren. She was a constant presence, cheerleader, their greatest supporter and fan until her health condition suddenly deteriorated.

Lolene’s community affairs included the American Legion Post 32, Social Savings Club and the Improved Benevolent & Protective Order of Elks of The World, Maggie L. Walker Temple in Beckley, WV, where she faithfully served as the Treasurer. Her family and friends will remember her as a devoted wife, a loving mother, a caring grandmother, neighbor, and an inspiration to the many people whose lives she touched. Lolene was well known in the Beckley community and we will always remember her warm smile, kind spirit, and fashion-sense.

Over the course of her professional career, she worked at the Beckley Hospital and the West Virginia Department of Education; she retired after twenty years of service. She remained an active member at New Hope Baptist Church, Beckley, WV, until she relocated to Toledo, Ohio in March of 2016 to live with her daughter, Dorothy and late son-in-law, Larry.

Lolene entered into eternal rest on September 5, 2020. She loved our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. She began her walk with Christ at a very early age as a child. She practiced her faith in every aspect of her life through prayer, study and a lifetime of kind words and good deeds. She always gave thanks to God upon awakening for sparing her each and every day. Lolene touched people’s lives like the ripples in the waves. She was admired by all she encountered. Her spirit will live on in the hearts of her children, grandchildren, family, and friends. No doubt she is smiling compassionately down at us from Heaven, speaking joyfully,

“Somewhere the sun is shining, Somewhere the song birds dwell; Hush then thy sad repining, God lives, And all is well.”

Funeral Service will be 12:00PM Saturday, September 12, 2020 at New Hope Baptist Church 305 Worley Road, Beckley. Burial will follow in Greenwood Memorial Park, Beckley.

Friends may call from 11:30AM until the time of the service.

Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, gloves, masks and social distancing is required to attend.

Email condolences to ritchie-johnson@suddenlinkmail.com.

Arrangements entrusted to Ritchie & Johnson Funeral Parlor, Beckley