Lillie Ruth Hairston

Deaconess Lillie Ruth Hairston, a true Matriarch and daughter of the late Mr. & Mrs. Thomas and Esther Scales Dillard, was born on July 8, 1943. Lillie Ruth slipped away peacefully on February 9, 2026, at Annie Penn Memorial Hospital after a brief illness.

Our Mother was educated at Douglas High School and spent a lifetime learning new things she was enthusiastic about, especially her iPad and other tech gadgets. At fifty years of age, she learned how to play the piano under the tutelage of Bro. Larry “Buddy Roe” Fuller. She was extremely proud of her accomplishments because she was 82 years old. Imagine that! Lillie Ruth retired from Ridgeway Clocks where she was employed for 38 years in the Finishing and Sanding Department. From the stories told by her late boss and co-workers over the years, she basically ran the place. So much so, that one time her boss called her to advise that he would not be in to work.

Our Mother was a faithful and devoted member of Rising Star Missionary Baptist Church, which she loved with all her heart. She served in many capacities as Deaconess, Sunday School Secretary, Member of the Senior Choir, Peace and Harmony Choir, and the Praise Team. Lillie Ruth loved to sing in her beautiful soprano voice, led many songs, and started writing those same songs down from memory over the years as prayers of comfort when her health began to decline.

Our Mother had so many gifts, one of which was cooking and baking. She baked cakes and pies for everyone, taught her children how to burn (cook), and enjoyed baking with her grandchildren whom she loved dearly. Lillie Ruth really enjoyed her favorite show Judge Judy, and you best not call or stop by during that time, or you had to sit through it too. Lillie Ruth was also a natural comedian and would have you screaming with laughter until your side hurt, talking about all the shenanigans she experienced growing up in the Scalestown, Moyertown, and Eden community. Lillie Ruth was also a fashionista and prided herself on always looking good and having an outfit for every occasion. Our Mother made an impact on so many lives, and her memory will live on forever.

Our Mother was the last surviving member of her immediate family, and her memory will live on in the lives of her husband Ronnie Hairston, her children, Tracy Cousins, Kena Dillard, Penny Simmons, the late LT. COL. April Cunningham, and Dennis Dillard; ten grandchildren,    Anthony Reaves (Sherry), Justin Dillard, Tyna Dillard, Calyn Dillard,  Paisley Simmons (Malik), Peighton Simmons, Ben Cunningham, Joshua Dillard, Olivia Dillard, Kristin Dillard; thirteen great-grandchildren; special friends, Eunice Hannah, the late Florence Simpson, Karen Allen, Vernicia Hairston, Yvonne Wilson, Joan Moton, Nancy Dillard, Gwen Lanza and special sister-friend, Cozelle Scales and a host of other relatives and friends.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Monday, February 16, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. at the Rising Star Missionary Baptist Church, 146 Fisher Hill Road, Eden, NC. The family will receive visitors and friends at the church from 12:30 pm to 1:00 pm, and the service will begin at 1:00 pm.  Interment will follow at Hairston Cemetery, Eden, NC.

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