Minister Emeritus:
Saturday, February 1, 2025- 11:00 A.M.
Marcus T. Watkins/Wesley T. Leonard, Officiating Ministers Kenneth L. Rucker, II, Eulogist
Early Life
Andrew Jasper Hairston was born in Clemmons, North Carolina, on July 8, 1932. He was the 13th of 15 children born to James and Laura Hairston. After his father passed, he, his siblings, and his mother moved to Piney Grove, NC, where he attended several Forsyth County schools. He graduated from Carver High School – the only all
After graduating high school, Andrew Hairston moved to Washington, DC, where he lived with his brother while working as a Good Humor Ice Cream salesman. Working on commission, he saved up all the money he earned to pay his way through Southwestern Christian College (SWCC).
Education
Dr. Hairston took great pride in his education and has completed several programs throughout his lifetime. He was part of the second freshman class to enter SWCC and graduated with an associate’s degree. The college’s dean, Grover C. Washington, then invited him to complete a four additional two years and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Specialized Bible Studies, making him a member of the first class to graduate with a four
In addition to his studies with SWCC, Dr. Hairston continued his theological studies at Paul Quinn College, Brite Seminary at Texas Christian University, and Chandler Seminary at Emory University, where he received his Doctorate of Ministry. He was also an avid law student, receiving his Doctor of Jurisprudence from John Marshall Law School. He completed additional law programs at Woodrow Wilson College of Law, Atlanta University, and the University of Nevada at Reno. Additionally, he holds honorary degrees from John Marshall Law School, SWCC, and Abilene Christian University.
Career
Outside of ministry, Andrew Hairston was an attorney in the city of Atlanta and a chaplain in the United States Army Reserve. After passing the Georgia Bar Examination, he went into private law practice while teaching law at John Marshall Law School. In 1973, he accepted the position of Assistant Solicitor General (Prosecutor) in the State Court of Fulton County, where he worked as Special Obscenity Prosecutor until the late Honorable Maynard Jackson appointed him as Atlanta's City Solicitor. Andrew Young appointed him to serve on the Atlanta City Traffic Court bench, where his fellow judges elected him as the court's First Black Chief Judge.
He was an active participant in the Atlanta community and the Civil Rights Movement, where he engaged in community programs focusing on “Missing and Murdered Children.” In 1962 Dr. Hairston was a leader in Operation Bread Basket. This program was started by M.L. King and the SCLC. It encouraged businesses to adopt fair hiring practices. He was also involved in the founding and perpetuation of the Concerned Black Clergy Program of Metro Atlanta and other causes.
As a chaplain, he attained the rank of Colonel and retired in 1982. He was a chosen member of the People People Citizen Ambassadors Substance Abuse Delegation to Western Europe and was later chosen to be a member of the Delegation of the U.S./Japan Bilateral Session, A New Era in Legal Aid
and Economic Relations, Tokyo, Japan; a member of the Delegation of the Moscow/U.S. Conference on law and Economics, Bilateral Cooperation, Moscow, Russia, and a member of the Delegation of Justice in Transition, Moscow, Russia.
Ministry
Though Dr. Hairston held many responsibilities throughout his lifetime, his greatest pride was his ministry. His long career in ministry began in the summer of 1954 while still a student at Southwestern Christian College. The New York and Leuda Streets Church of Christ in Fort Worth, Texas, called him to serve as interim minister for a six-month period. Following his initial ministerial position at Fort Worth, he was called to the pulpit of the South Eighth Street Church of Christ in Waco, Texas. In 1957, he was chosen by the Lake Como Church of Christ in Fort Worth, Texas, as its minister while he continued his educational pursuits.
In 1961, he accepted the challenge to serve as the minister of the Simpson Street Church of Christ in Atlanta, Georgia, where he led and served for 55 years. His service at Simpson Street Church of Christ is where his impact is felt most as a leader, comforter, listener, and prayer warrior for many. Under his leadership, the membership increased and the church experienced many growth projects and property acquisitions. Under his leadership, the church embarked upon a multi-million dollar building project. On April 27, 2008, Dr. Hairston led the congregation into its present building.
In addition to his work with Simpson Street Church of Christ, Dr. Hairston co-founded the Wells-Hairston High School in Monrovia, Liberia, in collaboration with the late Roosevelt Wells, minister of the Harlem Church of Christ in New York. Dr. Hairston and the SSCoC spent years dedicating support to Wells-Hairston High School. He was able to take several trips to Monrovia including leading a delegation of church members to Africa on a missionary trip. Wells-Hairston High School is thriving and a respected educational institution in Africa, celebrating their 48th graduating class in 2024.
Family
While serving as the interim minister of New York and Lueda Streets Church of Christ, he met the love of his life, Jeanne Turner. They married on August 31, 1956, and shared 66 years of marriage until Jeanne’s passing in 2022. Together, they had four children: Kenneth Andrew, Karen Jeannine, Kerri Lynn, and Kolan Jasper. He also took great pride in being a grandfather to his five grandchildren: Kenneth II, Andrew, Alexander, Kerbi, and Adam.
Dr. Hairston was preceded in death by all 14 of his siblings and was the last remaining child of James and Laura Hairston.
He leaves to cherish his memory their four children: Kenneth Andrew (Diean), Karen Jeannine, Kerri Lynn Rucker (Kenneth), and Kolan Jasper (Lupe); and his five grandchildren: Kenneth L. Rucker, II, Andrew D. Hairston, Alexander K. Hairston, Kerbi L. Louis (Dimitry), and Adam J. Hairston, and a host of nieces, nephews, friends, colleagues, and church members.
Written by Kerbi Lynn Louis, Journalist
Ministers’
Leroy
William
Jefferson
The Pillar by Alexander Hairston
You breathed life into our family tree
You were the planter and you watched us sprout as far as the eyes can see..
You were the sword and shield to our fears; You were the napkin for our tears..
You were the solver to our problems;
You were there for our first steps, our first heartbreaks, our first games..
You were the strength that runs through our veins;
You taught us discipline and to never let anybody step on our name.
You taught us about God and how to live in the ways of His teachings.
You are the light when it’s dark, whenever we were down you gave us a spark ..
You are our father..
You are our grandfather
You are the pillar to this family..
I know it's time for you to part ways, but could you hold my hand one last time so I can say,
Thank you for all the sacrifices you made for our family.
Thank you for all the teachings of God and putting Him first.
Thank you for all the early mornings and late nights.
Thank you for my father, Kenneth, my first superhero.
You reared him well. I know because he reared me well.
A selfless man-strong and stern but also extremely loving.
Thank you for my aunty Karen who never misses a beat, she's caring and giving and never misses a birthday.
Thank you for my aunty Kerri whose smile could light the moon. She's always joking, loving and hugging.
Thank you for my uncle Kolan, somewhat of a know it all, but when you ask him a question, the guy actually knows it all!
He's also the guy who tickled me to death when I was a kid.
Lastly, thank you for marrying my grandmother and the life you created together.
I’m proud to call you my grandfather and to have the Hairston last name. You have given us the blueprint on how to live life well.
Thank you forever, Andrew J. Hairston.
Monday, February 3, 2025; 11:00 AM Georgia National Cemetery - Canton, GA 2025 Mount Carmel Church Lane, Canton, GA 30114
We the family of Dr. Andrew Hairston acknowledges with deep appreciation your prayers, support, expressions of sympathy, service and all acts of kindness. We are uplifted by your outpouring of care and concern and truly appreciate the relationship formed through his ministry and love for Christ. May God’s love and peace be with each of you forever,
Amen
Historic West End Chapel 1003 Ralph David Abernathy Boulevard Atlanta, GA 30310 404-758-1731