Annie Richardson Hairston was the first of eleven children born to the late Alexander and Mary Terry Richardson. Her arrival in Winston-Salem, North Carolina on August 21, 1934, marked the beginning of a life destined for leadership and matriarchal respect.

Her early Christian Education began at Mount Zion Baptist Church where she joined and was baptized
under the pastorate of the late Reverend Dr. R. L. File. She exercised the tenets of her faith as a devoted
member of the church throughout her life. She was a strong servant of the Lord. And her natural ability to
lead was unhesitatingly placed at God's disposal. Without reservation she served as past chairperson of
the Board of Deaconess, past president of the Board of Trustees, Leader of the Sarah Missionary Group,
chairperson of the Board of Directors for the Child Development Center and a member of the finance team.
Annie was educated in the public schools of Winston-Salem/Forsyth County and graduated from Atkins
High School. She then enrolled at Winston-Salem Teachers' College (WSSU) where she earned a B. S.
Degree. After a short time, she received a M. A. Degree from New York University and an ED. S. Degree
from Appalachian State University. The "life-long learner" did post-graduate work at UNC-Chapel Hill and
Wake Forest University.

Annie Richardson Hairston's true calling began when she taught school for four years in Chapel Hill, North
Carolina. She then joined the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County School System in 1960 where she spent the
remainder of her career. She taught at Columbia Heights Elementary School and Diggs Elementary
School. She served as assistant principal and principal at Diggs Intermediate School. She was appointed
Assistant Superintendent in 1986 and was serving as Elementary Division I Director at the time of her retirement in 1992. Annie Hairston contributed thirty-six years of dedicated service to education prior to her retirement.

After retirement, Annie began a new career in business. She and her siblings established their own company, Pan African Imagery, which specialized in authentic East African Art Works and Crafts. She was named President and CEO of the family business.
She was actively involved in several civic and professional organizations, including but not limited to The National Women of Achievement (Kernersville Chapter), Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and The National Council of Negro Women.

Annie Bell Richardson Hairston's calling was fulfilled when God bid her to "come home" from her residence
in Winston-Salem on Monday, July 27, 2020. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her
husband, Thomas Hairston; six siblings; and two step children, Thomas and Ellen.

Those family members who survive and who will forever cherish special memories of a big sister, aunt,
friend, grandmother and "boss" include her sisters and brothers, Ida Delois Richardson Bailey, Willie
(Belinda) Richardson, Modine Richardson Shaw and Alexander (Vera) Richardson; 4 grandchildren,
Thomila (Juan) Wilson, Thomas (Pamela) Hairston III, Joan (Erik) Nolan and Mark (Denise) Clarke; 4 nieces and 4 nephews; 12 great grandchildren; a very dear friend, Valerie Harris; several extended family members and many other friends.

A public viewing will be held Thursday July 30, 2020 from 12:00 pm-6:00 pm at Hooper Funeral Home. Funeral services will be private. Interment will be held at Evergreen Cemetery. Funeral services will be live streamed Friday at 12:00 noon http://video.ibm.com/channel/mount-zion-the-joy