On the night of Friday, May 13th, 2023, Ms. Shelise Benetta Hairston of Orlando, FL, floated gently away from us after 53 blessed years in this life and into the eternal light of our Father who art in heaven.

Ms. Shelise was lovingly called "Little Mom", Ma, Mommie, Shel, Big Momma, Mama Bear, Auntie, Sister, Friend, Wife, Cousin, and Momma. Momma's Babies are Terelle ("Teroll")  Hairston (Oldest Baby), Jerod ("Jay") Hairston (Middle Baby), and Corinthia ("Coke & Little One") Alford (Youngest Baby). Each of us was her "favorite" (as long as we were the only one on the phone with her).

Ms. Shelise carried the lights of her Mother Corinthia Gunnings and Brother Trevis Hairston, who passed before her.

Ms. Shelise is survived by her children, Aunt and Mother Cynthia Harold, Uncle and Father Maurice Harold Sr. Sister in Christ and best friend, Beverly Bishop. Aunts Rev. Victoria Johnson and Jackie Phinx. Cousins Jamaar, Catina, Melinda, Tonya, Dalano, Kenny Ray Jr., and Kendra. Father of her children, John Alford. The Gunnings, Bishop and Harold families, and many other extended, beloved family members and "peeps". She grew up in her beloved Winston Salem, Harlem, New York, and Virginia Beach, VA and lived in Winston, Chesapeake/Portsmouth VA and Orlando, FL.

Ms. Shelise breathed the Holy Ghost Fire, loved and embraced all of His children, and traveled this life spreading His Word to anyone who would listen. She planted His seed along the way in the hearts of nonbelievers and tended to the gardens of believers, pouring out faithful encouragement, outreach, and fervent prayer partnership. When Mommy prayed, the Holy Spirit visited, Jesus wiped away tears, and the Father protected His flock. She worked tirelessly to reflect the Joy of the Lord and carried laughter in the palm of her hand, a salve for the worried and weary. She professed the Lord to each of her children daily and fed them the Bread of Life from the moment they were born, and God endowed them with the gifts of Writing, Singing, and Healing. She would shout whenever the Holy Spirit hit her. She forgave so that she might be forgiven and was radical in her God-given ability to turn hurt into Love. Anyone who knew her, knew she was an amazing woman of God.

Ms. Shellise was known to say "The devil IS a liar!", "Hallelujah!", "Hambone, Hambone!", "My lit-tle sweet baby", loved quoting an apt Bible verse, singing "Melodies from Heaven", loud gospel, laughing, sharing videos of alligators and dangerous Florida wildlife, driving Dodge Chargers, traveling, and eating seafood.

Ms. Shelise did the Work of the Lord and was accomplished in evangelism. She was a philanthropist and entrepreneur running her Non-profit organization, Christ Fellowship of Love Outreach Center, in the greater Orlando area. She touched many lives through food distribution, clothing closets, restaurant vouchers, and many other homeless services. She studied real estate and financial literacy, founding LLC CFLO Investments.

The week the Lord was ready for her, she traveled to her hometown, Winston Salem, NC., helped family and friends with special events, had loving conversations with each of her children, returned to Orlando, Heard Him call her name sweetly, looked up into the night stars and drifted on the winds of heaven into His arms.

A celebration of her life will be held 12:00 pm Saturday May 20, 2023 in the chapel of Hooper Funeral Home. The family will receive friends from 11:30 am-12:00pm at the funeral home Saturday. Interment will follow in Piedmont Memorial Gardens.