Obituaries

On Monday, March 17, 2025, Arleen France Redd 89, of Martinsville, VA transitioned peacefully from this earthly life to eternal life. She was born on September 2, 1935, in Henry County, VA to the late Henry Tyler Johnson and Gladys France Hairston.

In addition to her parents, Arleen was preceded in death by her first husband, James Smith; second husband, Elder Russell Redd; one daughter, Blenda Minor; one grandchild, Kaleem Minor; one sister, Velma Rhame; and four brothers, Raymond Johnson, Gerald Leroy Johnson, Jerome Johnson and Kenneth Hairston.

Arleen was a member of Rock Hill Missionary Baptist Church where she served in a variety of capacities. She served as the Church Clerk, Ladies Missionary, the Senior Choir, the Mass Choir, Sunday School Teacher, member of the Benevolence Club and Head of the Culinary Department. She retired from Fieldcrest Mills after many years of dedicated service. Arleen was a graduate of G.W. Carver High School class of 1953.

Arleen was affectionately known by her family and close friends as “AR”, “Leen”, "Grany Boots" or “Grandma”. She loved watching her soap operas and had a passion for gardening. Some of her favorite dishes were and not limited to, chocolate on chocolate cake, fried corn, peach pickles and bread pudding.

Those left to cherish her memory include two daughters, Martha Redd and Karen Turner both of Martinsville, VA; one son, Wayne Redd of Martinsville, VA; eight grandchildren; fifteen great-grandchildren; seven sisters, Lucille Saunders (James), Lorene Carter (Randy), Virginia Manns (Garnett), Marva Bolden, Rita Horton, Sandra Long and Delcina Powell (Jerry); six brothers, Clayton Johnson, Sr. (Francene), Michael Johnson (Kandice), Samuel Hairston, James Willie Hairston, Frederick Hairston (Latressa) and Roy Hairston (Marilyn); two sisters-in-law, Mary Jane Via and Dolores Johnson; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

A visitation service will be held on Friday, March 21, 2025, at 11:30 a.m. with the funeral service at 12 noon at Rock Hill Missionary Baptist Church, 630 Rock Hill Community Rd., Bassett, VA with Pastor Carlton Redd, Eulogist. Interment will follow at the Rock Hill Missionary Baptist Church Cemetery.

A public viewing will be held on Thursday, March 20, 2025, at Hairston Funeral Home, 301 Fayette St., Martinsville between the hours of 1 p.m. until 5 p.m. The family will receive friends during this time. Live streaming of the funeral service will be available at Hairston Funeral Home live via Facebook.

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