Dave W. Hairston

Bluefield West Virginia to Dave and Mary Hairston. He was

the eldest of their 5 children. His father was a coal miner and

his mother was a housewife. The family moved to Buffalo,

New York in 1959.

Dave graduated from East High School in Buffalo He entered

the United States Army in February of 1965 and served as a

rifleman. During his service, Dave was awarded a National

Defense Service and an Expert Marksman badge. He

received an honorable discharge in January of 1968. After his

military service, Dave attended Cuyahoga Community College

where he received an Associate of Arts degree, He then

attended Cleveland State University earning a Bachelor of

Arts degree in Urban Studies. He then attended graduate

school where he obtained a Master of Public Administration

degree. . Dave worked in a variety of positions in the

Cleveland area, including for the East Cleveland Court system

and with at-risk youth. He later earned a Master of Social

Work degree through a joint program with Cleveland State

University and the University of Akron

After being set up on a blind date by mutual friends. Dave

married Jan Black, who had also grown up in New York state.

They enjoyed traveling, including a dream trip that Dave

wanted to take to the Grand Canyon and Hoover Dam. He

was an avid reader as well as enjoying all types of music. His

favorite author was F, Scott Fitzgerald. He had a knack for

retaining facts and was a great person to have on your team

in any trivia contest, which was a regular part of the annual

Hairston family barbecue hosted by Dave and Jan. Dave

strongly believed in family and said, "Family together always".

Dave leaves to cherish his memory, his beloved wife,

Jan, brothers, James Tyrone (Cynthia), Richard

(Elizabeth, "Liz"), Robert, Maurice and his sister,

Shelia (Les, deceased), his son, John Watkins (Aleta),

daughter, Tanja and son, Jamil, his many nieces,

nephews and cousins and his grandchildren Dorian,

Damion, Terell and Brice.

He will be missed.

Remember Me

by Tonjha Monaco

Remember me when you hear the wind blow.

I am with God, I need you to know.

He called my name, and I went to see,

If the voice I heard was speaking to me.

He took my hand, we walked along

The road to heaven, where I belong.

The angels sang so sweet and clear.

They sang of love and that Jesus was near.

I felt his touch, I saw his face,

I knew in an instant I was in his grace.

He spoke to me, I heard him say,

You are home now child, you have found your way.

So remember me when you hear the wind blow.