Bennie Brown-Hairston

BROWN-HAIRSTON, Mrs. Bennie J. - Age 78, passed away Sunday, March 21, 2010 at her residence. Family hour 10 a.m. Monday, March 29, 2010 at Christ Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church, 317 E. Hamilton Ave., with funeral service commencing at 11 a.m., Rev. James Hill officiating, Rev. Michael Pettigrew presiding. Interment Sunset Hills Cemetery, G-4413 Flushing Rd. Friends and pallbearers will assemble at the church 10 a.m. Monday. Mrs. Hairston will lie in state in the Chapel of Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home, 906 W. Flint Park Blvd., and may be viewed from 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Sunday. Mrs. Bennie J. Brown-Hairston was born April 1, 1931 in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, to Dimple White and Clifton Motley. Bennie was raised by her step-father, Ivory White. She met and married Thomas James Brown and to this union was blessed with six wonderful children. In 1953, the family moved to Flint, Michigan. Bennie received her certification as a Medical Transcriber/Receptionist from Mott Community College and retired from F.O.H. (Flint Osteopathic Hospital). In 1982, she married Aaron Hairston. She was a member of Canaan Baptist Church and later a faithful member of Christ Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church for over 50 years under the leadership of the late Dr. Leroy Shelton. Mrs. Hairston served on various auxiliaries: current Sunday school teacher, President of the General Mission and Mother’s Board. Her affiliations were many among them were: The 1st Vice-President of Great Lakes Baptist District Association, Vice-President of Wolverine State Baptist Women Auxiliary, Coordination of District President for the National Convention U.S.A. Inc., and she also served as Administrative Assistant for Great Lakes Baptist District Congress of Christian Education, Chairperson of Michigan State United Sisterhood and member of The Elnora Townsen 191, Int’l Masons of Flint, MI. Mrs. Bennie Jean Brown-Hairston leaves to cherish her memory: 2 daughters, Bevely (Calvin) Roberts of Northville, MI and Paula (Lester) Fykes; 3 sons, Bernard “Vernon” (Erika), Johnny “Bayray” (fiancée, Crystal) and Thomas “Puny” Brown, all of Flint; 15 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; 3 great-great-grandchildren; loving sister, Fay Clay of Chicago, IL; daughter-in-law, Barbara Brown of Mt. Morris, MI; a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Mrs. Brown-Hairston was preceded in death by her husbands, Thomas Brown and Aaron Hairston; son, Carnel Brown; parents; and sister, LaRose Cummings.

Bennie Brown-Hairston

April 1, 1931 - March 21, 2010