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Peter W. Hairston, 93, the former Superior Court judge and member of the N.C. General Assembly, died Sunday, Feb. 4, 2007 at his ancestral home, Cooleemee Plantation, on the Yadkin River in Davie County.
Mr. Hairston was born Aug. 2, 1913, at Cooleemee Plantation, a son of Peter Wilson Hairston and Elmer George Hairston, and lived there most of his life. In 1949, he married Lucy Dorteh in Washington, D.C., and they moved to Cooleemee. Mrs. Hairston preceded him in death in 1998.
Judge Hairston lived a life of service to his nation, state and community. Among the highlights of his public service are three terms in the N.C. House of Representatives and appointment by Gov. James B. Hunt and subsequent election as a Superior Court Judge. He was a decorated veteran. He fought in Europe in World War II, leaving the U.S. Army in 1946 as a captain with the Bronze Star, Purple Heart and five Battle Stars. Mr. Hairston received his early education at home through the Calvert School method. He later attended Virginia Episcopal School in Lynchburg, Va., graduating in 1930 with scholarship medals from his junior and senior years. In 1933, he received the A.B. degree from the University of North Carolina, where he was Phi Beta Kappa, and in 1935, the L.L.B. degree from the University’s Law School, where he was on the board of the Law Review. One of Mr. Hairston’s fondest memories of Chapel Hill was being greeted as a freshman by Dr. Frank Porter Graham, who helped carry his trunk to his dormitory room.
He was admitted to the North Carolina Bar in 1935, and in the years just prior to and after the war, he practiced law and was with a major insurance company in Charlotte and later in Washington. In 1948, Mr. Hairston returned to Cooleemee to assume responsibilities of managing the plantation. He devoted the next six years to restoring the house, which is designated a National Historic Landmark, and to beginning to bring back the land to its earlier productivity. To conserve the property for posterity, Judge Hairston in 1996 placed Cooleemee Plantation in the Land Trust for Central North Carolina, making it one of the largest agricultural properties under land trust protection in North Carolina.
In 1954, he established a law practice in the county seat of Mocksville and maintained it until being appointed to the bench in 1977. A lifelong Democrat, Mr. Hairston was respected as a principled citizen who related to farmers and working people and was their advocate. He supported candidates of his party who held what he considered progressive views, such as former Congressman and gubernatorial candidate L. Richardson Preyer. With Mrs. Hairston, he traveled throughout much of the world, including several trips to Scotland, where he visited the region where his ancestors lived, and to Morocco and the African subcontinent, to China and the then-Soviet Union, and across Europe. Wherever and however he and Lucy traveled - by barge down the canals in France or on safari in Kenya, they made friends whom they invited to Cooleemee and entertained there. But Judge Hairston was just as comfortable driving a tractor on hayrides to entertain guests at the Forest Lake Campground he and Lucy established on part of the family farm in 1968.
Judge Hairston was a voracious reader, a keen observer of current affairs, and a devotee of classical music. He was particularly fond of the operettas of Gilbert and Sullivan, from which he derived great enjoyment. He was a gracious and entertaining host and notables from the political, educational, literary and entertainment worlds found their way to his table. Each Wednesday night for the last decade, he presided over dinner at Cooleemee for a small group of devoted friends, prompting lively discussion and providing insights and wise counsel.
Always a scholar and conscientious historian, Mr. Hairston wrote articles for historical journals, magazines and newspapers, and sections of other books. Much of his writing was about Cooleemee and other plantations that had been owned by members of the Hairston family. When descendants of former slaves at Cooleemee established the Hairston Clan, Judge Hairston was one of their strongest advocates. For many years, he attended the annual meetings of the Hairston Clan and on occasion was the keynote speaker. He spent countless hours compiling genealogical records which he shared with Hairston Clan members. The Hairston Clan honored both him and Lucy for their contributions to humankind.
Survivors: 2 sons, Peter W. Hairston, who has followed in his father’s path at Cooleemee, and George R. Hairston of Winston-Salem, whose woodworking has been integral to the restoration of the home place; a brother, Nelson Hairston of Chapel Hill; a granddaughter; and 2 grandsons.
The family will receive people at the home on Friday, Feb. 9 from 5-7 p.m. A memorial service for Judge Hairston will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 10 at the Episcopal Church of the Ascension in the Fork community of Davie County, a parish his family helped establish near Cooleemee Plantation with Rev. Sealy Cross officiating. Interment will follow in the church columbarium.
Samuel Paul Berrier
Mr. Samuel Paul Berrier, 87, of Mocksville, died Friday, Feb. 2, 2007, at Kate B. Reynolds Hospice Home in Winston-Salem after fighting a battle with cancer.
Before living his last two years at Somerset Court, Mocksville, he resided at 801 South, Mocksville. Sam was born Nov. 17, 1919, in Davie County to the late Issac Clinton and Annie Cope Berrier and lived in the Deadmon Road community. He was a lifetime member of Concord United Methodist Church. Sam was a veteran of the U.S. Army during World War II, serving in the 68th Armored Regiment, D Co. in Germany. In 1981, he retired as manager of Energy United after 30 years of service. Sam received a Veteran's Emblem Certificate, this year, recognizing his 50 years as a Master Mason of the Mocksville Masonic Lodge.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Gay Nell Sheek in 1991; sisters, Rachel, Dorothy, Ruth, Alice, Katherine and Willie Mae; and brothers, Herman, Felix, Greene, Cecil and Ben.
Surviving: his daughters, Kathy (Bill) Junker and Renee (James) Nail, all of Mocksville; 6 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; a sister, Betsy Nichols of Florida; a brother, James (Zee) Berrier of Mocksville; and a sister-in-law, Mary Frances Berrier of Mocksville.
A funeral service was conducted at 4 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 4, at Eaton Funeral Chapel with the Rev. Arnold P. Gosnell and nephew, Ivan Crissman officiating. A graveside service followed at Concord United Methodist Church Cemetery with graveside military rites conducted by the 11th District Memorial Honor Guard. The family received friends from 3-4 p.m. Feb. 4, at Eaton Funeral Home.
Memorials: Concord Methodist, c/o Pat Patterson, 132 Fairway Road, Advance; or to Kate B. Reynolds Hospice Home, 101 Hospice Lane, Winston-Salem, 27103.
Lee Grant Smith
Mr. Lee Grant Smith, 87, of Mocksville, died Thursday, Feb. 1, 2007, at Davis Regional Medical Center in Statesville.
He was born Dec. 6, 1919, in Davie County to the late Enoch Washington and Mary Starr Smith. Mr. Smith had worked at C.J. Angell’s Jewelry for years, Fritts Motor Co. in Winston-Salem and retired, at age 74, from Ingersoll-Rand after 20 years. He attended Chestnut Grove United Methodist Church in his younger days. Mr. Smith was a veteran of the U.S. Army and served in Panama during World War II. He was willing to help someone in need, enjoyed gardening and had a love for animals.
He was also preceded in death by his wife on May 4, 2001, to whom he was wed Feb. 17, 1944, Orpha Angell Smith; and 2 brothers, Clarence Bud Smith and George E. Smith.
Survivors: 2 daughters, Rosalee (Rube) Fesperman of Salisbury, Kathy (Larry) Harpe of Mocksville; 4 grandchildren; 5 great-grandchildren; 2 step-great-grandchildren; 3 sisters, Eva Mae Troutman of Franklinton, Jettie Carter and Dorothy Green of Mocksville.
A funeral service was conducted at 2 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 4, at Eaton Funeral Chapel with the Rev. Shane Young officiating. Burial followed in Rose Cemetery.
Memorials: Carolina Piedmont Chapter Alzheimers Assoc., 3420 Shamrock Dr., Charlotte, NC 28215.
Thelma Martin Spencer
Mrs. Thelma Ruth Martin Spencer, 92, of Mocksville, died Thursday, Feb. 1, 2007, at Forsyth Medical Center in Winston-Salem.
Mrs. Spencer was born May 28, 1914, to Harry and Lona Martin of Crossville, Tenn. As the oldest member of the First United Methodist of Mocksville, many friends of the church will miss her. She was active in her church, community, and family. She loved letter writing and corresponded with relatives remembering birthdays and special occasions. She enjoyed ceramics, bottle collecting and was a late blooming artist in her late 60s. She enjoyed finding new relatives when the family was tracing her family tree.
She was preceded in death by her husband, William T. Spencer, her son, Larry M. Spencer, son-in-law Mack Foster, 5 brothers and 2 sisters.
Surviving: her children, Betty S. Foster and Marilyn S. Mott (Bobby) of Mocksville, and William Terry Spencer (Janet) of York, S.C.; 4 grandchildren; 4 great-grandchildren; and many nieces.
A funeral service was conducted at 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 4, at First United Methodist Church with the Revs. Don Routh and Darren Alexander officiating. Burial was in Rose Cemetery. The family received friends at Eaton Funeral Home from 7-8:30 p.m. Feb. 3.
Memorials; First United Methodist, 310 N. Main St., Mocksville; the Seventh-day Adventist Church of Mocksville, 470 Milling Rd., Mocksville; or Hospice/Palliative CareCenter, 101 Hospice Lane, Winston-Salem, 27103.
Sonya Kay Davis Hamilton
Mrs. sonya Kay Davis Hamilton, 36, of Salisbury, died Saturday, Feb. 3, 2007 at her home.
She was born March 3, 1970 in Davie County to the late John Robert and Carolyn Jeanette Anderson Davis. Mrs. Hamilton was employed by Jockey International. She attended Cooleemee Presbyterian Church.
She was also preceded in death by her maternal grandfather, Odell Wesley Anderson.
Survivors: a daughter, Heather Hamilton of the home and her father, Larry Dean Hamilton; a brother, Eric (Theresa) Davis of Mocksville, maternal grandmother, Pauline Frances Anderson of Cooleemee; an uncle and a nephew.
A funeral service will be conducted at 2 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 8 at Eaton Funeral Chapel with the Rev. John Groff officiating. Bruial followed in Bear Creek Baptist Church Cemetery. The family was to receive friends from 7-9 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 7 at Eaton funeral Home.
Memorials: charity of donor’s choice.
Mary Walker Cox
Mary Lawrence Walker “Arnie” Cox, 77, of Chapel Hill, formerly of Mocksville, died Saturday, Jan. 20, 2007, surrounded by her family at N.C. Memorial Hospital.
She was born in Morristown, Tenn. to the late Lawrence and Mary Edith Walker. She attended Virginia Intermont College and graduated from East Tennessee State University. She was an accordionist who performed professionally as a youth and adult. She was a public school teacher, tutor and Realtor. She loved music, entertaining and all living creatures.
Survivors: a sister, Edith Bacon of Knoxville, Tenn.; a brother, George B. Walker of Kernersville; former husband, Ed Cox of Emerald Isle; 2 daughters, Debbie Cox of Chapel Hill and Ellie Cox of Durham; and many friends.
Memorials: Arthritis Foundation, 200 E. Woodlawn Rd., Suite 156, Charlotte, 28217; Animal Protection Society of Durham, 2117 E. Club Blvd., Durham, 27704; or the charity of the donor’s choice.
Judith Ann Hendrix
Judith Ann Hendrix, 66, died Thursday, Feb. 1, 2007.
She was born Oct. 15, 1940 in Grayson County, Va. to Heath and Alma Higgins. Friends and family will miss her laugh, stories, passions, dedication and loyalty. She was employed by Salem Creek, a job she treasured and those who knew her understand how many lives she touched of co-workers and customers. She was an active member of Clemmons Moravian Church, Women’s Circle 4, an elections judge for the Hillsdale precinct, a fun member of her stitch group, and had many years of involvement with the furniture market. She enjoyed reading, collecting china, puzzles, flower gardening, working, outings with her grandchildren, being with her stitch friends and holidays.
She was preceded in death by her parents.
Surviving: a daughter, Kim Hendrix Kakouras of Advance; a son, Craig Dalton Hendrix and wife Anita Hunt Hendrix of Mocksville; 2 brothers, James Higgins and wife Joan and David Higgins and wife Phyllis; aunt, uncle; former husband; and 3 grandchildren.
A funeral service was held at 3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 4 at Clemmons Moravian Church with the Rev. Ray Burke officiating. Burial followed in God’s Acre behind the church. Family and friends celebrated her life Saturday, Feb. 3 at Hayworth-Miller Kinderton Chapel.
Memorials: Clemmons Moravian Building Fund, PO Box 730, Clemmons, 27012.