Pamela Naomi

Hairston

Elder Dr. Pamela Hairston, Th.D

(June 28, 1953 – June 8, 2025)

Pamela Naomi Hairston was born on June 28, 1953, and departed this life on June 8, 2025. She was the second of four children born to the late Elder John Thomas Hairston and Marion Naomi (Teal) Hairston at Stevens Clinic Hospital in Welch, West Virginia. Pam lived with her family in nearby Thorpe, West Virginia until moving to Toledo, Ohio in 1961. She was an honor student who attended Toledo Public Schools and graduated a year early from Whitney High School.

After high school, she attended Sawyer Business College while pursuing a music career, singing R&B background vocals as an original member of the local group Black Velvet. Her music career led her to New York, where she sang at the Apollo Theater and other notable venues. She continued to sing background for several internationally known R&B and Soul artists during those years.

In addition to Toledo and the Tri-State area, Pam lived in several cities including Birmingham, AL; Atlanta, GA; and Mansfield, OH. It was in Atlanta that her life took a major turn when she gave birth to her beloved son, Brandon Thomas Hairston-Elder. Wanting her son to be raised in a Christian home, as she was, she turned her heart toward God and never looked back.

Pam was an avid reader, an excellent writer, and a devoted scholar. She pursued education with great passion. Her undergraduate work was at Lourdes College in Sylvania, OH, where she double-majored in Social Work and Religious Studies. She attended graduate school at Ashland Theological Seminary, earning both a Master of Divinity and a Master of Arts in Biblical and Theological Studies. She continued her education by pursuing a Ph.D. in American Cultural Studies at Bowling Green State University and later earned her Doctor of Theology (Th.D.) from The McKinstry Midwest College of Theology. She was a proud member of Kappa Gamma Pi, The National Catholic Honor Society.

At Bowling Green, she had the opportunity to travel to several countries studying African culture and its rich global history. In addition to singing, her professional career included work as an Executive Administrator, College Professor, Writer, Ghostwriter, Editor, and a retired Librarian from the Toledo Lucas County Public Library. She was also a trusted confidant and counselor to pastors and church leaders. Most recently, as a dedicated member of Worship Center of Toledo, she served in leadership as an Elder, teacher, preacher, and committee chair. She traveled broadly, serving and participating in ministerial activities to share God's love.

Pam loved her family and ministry. Spending quality time with family and friends was very important to her. Her son was her world; she lived an upright and holy life, honoring God and setting an example for him. No matter the accomplishments or great stories people can share, the most important fact to know about Pam is that she was a worshipper. She loved God with her whole heart and dedicated her life to serving Him.

Parents: Elder John and Marion Hairston of Toledo, OH (both deceased)

She leaves to cherish her memory, Her only begotten son: Brandon Hairston-Elder of Dallas, TX, Siblings: Roland (Angie) Hairston of Atlanta, GA; Jay Timothy (Sylvia) Hairston of Berea, OH; Faith "Peachey" Hairston of Toledo, OH, Nephews: Roland (Kristie) Hairston II of Nashville, TN; Jay T. (Christine) Hairston II of Strongsville, OH; Jason (Lissette) Hairston of Charlotte, NC. Nieces: Dawn Faith (Luis) Perez of Tampa, FL; Tiara (Kevin) Searcy of Atlanta, GA; Topaz Hairston of Atlanta, GA; Jharie (Albert) Parker of Strongsville, OH, Spiritual Sisters: Bishop Dr. Pat McKinstry, Lady Shirley A. Jordan, Meredith Capps, Gail Walton, and her best friend Elder Lorna McKinstry, Also survived by: A host of great-nieces and nephews, cousins, spiritual sons and daughters, and extended family and friends in Mansfield, OH and Dallas, TX.