Obituaries

On Sunday, October 1, 2023, Antoine J. “Smoke” Preston 47, of Owens Rd., Martinsville, VA transitioned from this earthly life to eternal life. He was born in Martinsville, VA on October 14, 1975, the son of Mary Preston Taylor and the late John William Taylor.

Antoine was a graduate of Martinsville High School class of 1994. After graduating from high school, Antoine went on to further his education by graduating from West Virginia State University in 2000 with a bachelor's degree in Graphic Design, Communications, and Culinary Arts. He attended Refuge Temple Ministries. He was employed by VF Knitting.

Those left to cherish his memory include his mother, Mary C. Taylor of Martinsville, VA; two daughters, Aviana Turner, and Amani R. France both of Martinsville, VA; two sisters, Ashley Preston, and Michelle Brown both of Martinsville, VA; four brothers, Avery “Willie” Taylor, Tracy France, Wallace Dodson, and Watkins Penn all of Martinsville, VA; special friend, Sonya Ferguson of Collinsville, VA; and a host of aunts, uncles, other relatives, and friends.

A visitation service will be held on Saturday, October 7, 2023, from 11:30 a.m. until the time of the funeral service at 12 noon at Refuge Temple Ministries, 205 Clearview Dr., Martinsville, VA with Elder Alan Preston, Eulogist. the burial will follow at Carver Memorial Gardens, 1310 Carver Rd., Martinsville, VA. A public viewing will be held on Friday, October 6, 2023, at Hairston Funeral Home, 301 Fayette St., Martinsville, VA between the hours of 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. Other times, the family will receive friends at the residence, 903 Owens Rd., Martinsville, VA.

Courteous, efficient, and dependable services are provided by Hairston Funeral Home.