GREENSBORO — Otis Lemuel Hairston, Jr. departed this life unexpectedly on Thursday, October 11, 2012.
He was born September 15, 1945 to Anna C. Hairston and the late Reverend Dr. Otis Lemuel Hairston Sr. in Raleigh, North Carolina. The funeral will be on Wednesday, October 17, 2012, 2 p.m. at Shiloh Baptist Church, 1210 S. Eugene Street, Greensboro, NC. Family hour will be from 1 p.m. until 2 p.m. Otis graduated from James B. Dudley High School in 1963. He attended North Carolina A&T University, where his interest in photography began. He took a leap of faith and opened his own photography studio, University Studio, on East Market Street, next to A&T's campus, in 1971.
For almost 40 years, Hairston not only documented much of the history of Greensboro, NC, but his photographic assignments allowed him to travel all over the world. His most famous works include photos of Coretta Scott King, Oprah Winfrey, Nelson Mandela, Arthur Ashe, Alex Haley and Bill Cosby.
Otis authored two books documenting Warnersville and the African American community of Greensboro, served as President of the PTSA at Dudley High School, mentored at Hairston Middle School, worked with senior citizens and founded the Warnersville Community Coalition where he served as president. He was a member of Shiloh, where his father and grandfather served as ministers for more than eighty years.
Otis was preceded in death by his father, the Reverend Dr. Otis L. Hairston, Sr. He leaves to cherish his memory his mother, Anna C. Hairston, of Randallstown, MD; Sons: Otis L. Hairston, III (Angela) of San Antonio, TX and Sidney Hairston of Greensboro, NC; Stepdaughters: Anitra Bell (Quincey) and Joy Jones (Vonté) of Greensboro, NC ; Sister: Emma H. Belle (Melton) of Randallstown, MD; The love of his life: Rizwana Gull; Sister-in-law: Sarah Belle Felipa of Asheboro, NC; Nieces: Wanda M. Belle of Baltimore, MD, Monica W. Belle of Randallstown, MD, Charise Felipa and Cassandra Felipa Dorsey (Kevin) of Greensboro, NC, eight grandchildren and a multitude of aunts, uncles, cousins, and close family friends.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Otis L. Hairston, Sr. Family Life Enrichment Center, c/o Shiloh Baptist Church or The Otis L. Hairston, Sr. Middle School, 3911 Naco Road, Greensboro, NC 27401. Arrangements by Community Funeral Service , Inc. www.communityfuneralservice.net/
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