Obituaries

On Thursday, January 8, 2026, God, in His infinite wisdom, saw fit to call from labor to reward the soul of Samuel L. Hairston. He was born in Henry County, Virginia, on February 12, 1932, the son of the late Reverend James Caesar Hairston and the late Lubertha Tate Hairston.

In addition to his parents, Sam was preceded in death by his wife, Mary DeShazo Hairston; two sons, Sammy Hairston and Johnathan Hairston; six sisters, Dora Lee Hairston, Lillie Belle Moyer, Josephine Hairston, Mamie Esther Hairston, Patricia Johnson, and Lucy Jane Hodge; four brothers, James Willie Hairston, John Andrew Hairston, Franklin D. Hairston, and Henry Jack Hairston; one granddaughter, Terry Shay Christian; two grandsons, Claiborne Kent, Jr., and Fredrick J. Wooden; and one great-grandson, Fidel Christian, Jr.

Samuel attended Integrity Life Ministries (formerly Mt. Carmel Pentecostal Holiness Church). Samuel owned his own lawn care business and loved being outside working in the yard and his garden. He was employed by Bassett Superior Lines until he retired.

Samuel leaves to cherish his memory, three daughters, Bessie Kent of Martinsville, Virginia, Jacqueline Brooks (Larry) of Roanoke Virginia, and Tarah Wimbush of Martinsville, Virginia; three sons, Clinton DeShazo (Tracey) of Rocky Mount, Virginia, Franklin DeShazo, and Jay C. DeShazo (Loreal), both of Martinsville, Virginia; one brother, Reverend Joe Lewis Hairston of Martinsville, Virginia; 23 grandchildren; 30 great-grandchildren; 2 great-great-grandchildren, and a host of other nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.

A Memorial Service will be held Friday, January 16, 2026, at 11:00 AM at Wright Funeral Service Martinsville Chapel with Elder Lafonza Koger, eulogist. Burial will be private. The family will be receiving friends at the home, 185 Westland Drive, Martinsville, Virginia, daily from 4:00-7:00 PM.

Wright Funeral Service & Crematory is serving the family.