Dorothy L. Hairston, 84, of Ocean Pines, Maryland, passed away peacefully on Thursday December 20, 2018.
She was born on July 10, 1934 in Bethlehem, PA to Josephine and Samuel Lewis. After the passing of her mother, Dottie and her sister Lillian moved in with their grandparents the late Katie and Reverend St. James Williams, who were the founders of St. Paul Baptist church in Bethlehem PA. She was a faithful servant and active member at her grandfather’s church for many years, and remained a member long after leaving the area.

Dorothy graduated from Liberty High School in Bethlehem, then attended Cheyney State College where she earned her BA degree in Education. A year later Dorothy married the man of her dreams, Ernest Hairston. They moved to Washington, DC. Where she taught in the Washington, DC public school system for 25 plus years before retiring in 1983.

Dorothy was affectionally known to many as Dottie, Aunt Dot, Momma Dot or Grandma Dot. Dottie was a real fashionista! Those who knew her well knew that she always loved a new car! Dot was a beautiful, energetic, active women who always had a smile on her face. She had a way of motivating you or inspiring you to never give up!

With that came her vibrant entrepreneurial spirit, and her invitations to participate in many of her “businesses” such as selling Sara Coventry jewelry, Tupperware, Avon and the list goes on. With her big heart her goal was to share these opportunities with others in the hopes of supplementing their income.
Ever faithful to the church Dorothy and Ernie became members of Canaan Baptist Church in DC, where she was a deaconess and Sang with the Sanctuary Choir, until Ernie retired, and they moved to their beach home in Ocean Pines, MD. where they joined Faith Baptist, in Berlin, MD. All the while Dorothy maintained membership at her hometown family church St. Paul Baptist Church in Bethlehem.

Dorothy was not only active in the churches she attended, she was a longtime active member of The Washington, DC Chapter of The Moles and a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. Dorothy Hairston is predeceased by her parents Samuel and Josephine Lewis and stepmother Gertrude Lewis.

She is survived by her husband of 61 years, Ernest Hairston: two children Michael Hairston, and Crystal Hairston both of Washington, DC, Sister Lillian Watkins of Ocean Pines, MD, Granddaughter Jasmine Hairston of Silver Spring,. Dottie, had two extended children she considered her daughters from mothers that were dear to her. DeLisa Ross of Atlanta, GA and Kimberly Griggs of Washington, DC MD and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Services: Relatives and friends are invited to her visitation on Saturday, December 29, 2018 from 11:30a.m. to 12:30 p.m. followed by a Memorial Service all in St. Paul's Baptist Church, 925 E. Goepp St., Bethlehem 18017.
Arrangements are entrusted to the JAMES FUNERAL HOME, Bethlehem.