Wyndolyn Hairston

The year was 1935 and the United States experienced monumental events. Among those events were Franklin D. Roosevelt's presidency, the social security act becoming law, the forming of The Council of Negro Women and the birth of a beautiful baby girl born to the late Leslie Pryor and the late Lola Pryor. They named her Eleanor Wyndolyn Pryor. She was born July 1, 1935, in Villa Ridge, Illinois. Her preschool years were spent in Villa Ridge. The family moved to Madison, Illinois and she attended Dunbar Grade School, graduating from Dunbar High School in 1953. As a young child, Wyndolyn was lovingly nicknamed, "Gwen", by her family and friends. Gwen was a bit of a tomboy. She would catch caterpillars and tell her sisters to open their hands because she had a surprise for them! Only to have a caterpillar placed in their hands. She was quite the jokester. With her being a tomboy, she also would become the protector of her sisters. She would do whatever it took to look out for them including a fight or two. She was tough then and her toughness and strength would carry on in other ways through life. Gwen and her sister Peggy went to get some ice cream at Scotia's Ice Cream Shop in Madison, Illinois, and her life would change that day as she met her future husband, Brooks Hairston. Shortly after graduating on June 21, 1953, Gwen and Brooks would become husband and wife. The family moved to Toledo, Ohio. In 1955, Brooks enlisted in the United States Air Force, he was first stationed in Washington DC, where Gwen would commute to spend time with him. On April 1, 1955, they were blessed to become parents for the first time to a beautiful daughter, Elaine. Gwen and Elaine had such a special bond even at an early age that would only continue to grow. Her special bond with her daughter continued throughout life. They would talk everyday multiple times. They shopped together, cooked together and sewed together. The love was felt by all. The Hairston family would relocate to Spokane, Washington for 2 years. After Spokane, the family moved back to Toledo and grew a bit more. On May 6, 1960, the family welcomed another bundle of joy, Brooks, Jr. The family remained there for several years before moving and settling in East Saint Louis, Illinois. Gwen was blessed to be a homemaker. She could sew and loved to do so. She was a fantastic cook and baker. She made rolls that would melt in your mouth, not to mention her cakes, fried chicken and greens. Whatever she cooked was delicious! She loved her family and each of them loved her and it was guaranteed that when we visited upon opening the door to let us in you would smell the food! Gwen was the daughter and granddaughter of pastors. They instilled in her the love of Christ. She was a saved woman of God, and loved the Lord. Sister Hairston joined Mccasland Temple Church of God In Christ in East Saint Louis, under the pastoral leadership of the late Elder Charles Collins in the late 60's. Gwen was ill and seeking a place of refuge for her soul. God healed her from the ailment, she continued to serve Him for many years with much gratitude. Gwen sewed for the saints, she shared knowledge regarding proper attire. She also was a chaperone for the youth while attending different events and trips. At the church, Gwen was known for her delicious pound cakes and homemade rolls. During the month of October 1978, Elder Curtis Riley founded the East Saint Louis Emmanuel Temple COGIC. She came along to be a support to this start-up ministry. She remained at Emmanuel Temple for 38 plus years until moving to Denver, Colorado, at the time, she was still under the covering of the church and the new leadership of Superintendent John A. Riley. One of Gwen's favorite songs was "I still have a praise on the inside of me". That speaks true of her in spite of the heartaches, in spite of the illnesses, Gwen pressed on with a praise on the inside. When the doctors gave her 5 years after her Multiple Sclerosis diagnosis, she told the devil that he was a liar and went on with the praise on the inside. Even in the end when the doctors and the hospice thought she was leaving she lived on past what they had even expected. She was strong, resilient and determined. A true woman of faith, that faith that is the size of a mustard seed. In spite of losing her daughter 13 years ago. Gwen still had a praise on the inside that no one could take. "We Thank God for allowing such a Godly women of faith to be a part of our family." In late August, 2015, Gwen's sister Edith and niece Tonya went to Saint Louis, MO to pick up Gwen as she was in a rehab facility from a fall she had. Her family felt it was time to bring her back to Colorado where she had more family to help care for her. She was able to get her own apartment and her four sisters here in Denver cared for her dearly making sure she would see at least one of them every single day. She had surgery in January 2016, and that would be the beginning of what would become her final months. She took a turn for the worst and on October 1, the decision was made to move her to Denver Hospice. In spite of what the doctors said, her faith and strength remained intact to the end. Gwen was proceeded in death by her daughter, Elaine Hairston; her parents, Leslie and Lola Pryor; her paternal grandparents, Issac and Elnora Pryor; and maternal grandparents, Coleman and Nanny Woolfolk. On the morning of October 18, 2016, God whispered at 7:15 am "My dear Wyndolyn Hairston, you were a good and faithful woman and servant of the Most High. It's time for you to come unto me and rest. For I have complete healing for you and perfect peace." Those left to cherish her memories are her husband, Brooks Hairston, Sr., East Saint Louis, IL; her son, Brooks Hairston, Jr., East Saint Louis, IL; her sisters, Olivia Scott, Denver, CO, Peggy (Willard) Stewart, Bowie, MD, Edith Rucker, Denver, CO, Evelyn (Billy) Draper Foxfield, CO, Dorothea P. Glover, Aurora, CO, and Sandra (Gene) Swinson, White Plains, MD; one granddaughter, Terriashye (Terri) Powell, East Saint Louis, IL; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, and many friends

Funeral Home: Pipkin Braswell Funerals and Cremation - 2050 Uinta Street, Denver, Colorado
Visitation: 10/27/2016 at 4:00 PM - Pipkin Braswell Chapel of Peace - 6601 East Colfax Avenue, Denver, CO
Service: 10/28/2016 at 11:00 AM - Pipkin Braswell Chapel of Peace - 3370 Ivy Street, Denver, CO
Cemetery: 10/28/2016 - Following the Service Fairmount Cemetery - 430 South Quebec Street, Denver, CO
Family Gathering: 10/28/2016 - Following Interment Pipkin Braswell Reception Center - 2428 Ogden Street, Denver, CO