Eleanor Bartlett Hairston

Eleanor Bartlett Hairston passed away peacefully at home on Good Friday, March 25, 2016, with family gathered. Born March 11, 1937, in New York to Allen Bartlett, architect, and Edith West Bartlett, homemaker, Eleanor shared a special bond with her identical twin sister, Anne Bartlett Gillett. After early years moving for war work to Atlanta, GA, Louisville, KY, Miami, OK, and Tuscaloosa AL, they settled in Birmingham, AL, in 1945. She graduated from Ramsay High School in 1954 and Randolph-Macon Woman’s College in Lynchburg, VA in 1958. She married Waller S. Hairston on June 14, 1958 and moved to Port Deposit, MD, where Waller completed four years of service in the U.S. Navy and received a law degree. In 1962, the family moved to Easton, MD, where Waller began a career practicing law. Eleanor had four children by 1967 and was involved with their activities. She was a dedicated member of Christ Church, St. Peter’s Parish in Easton. In addition to being a substitute teacher for 20 years, she was active in many community organizations, including Easton Branch of American Association of University Women, treasurer for the board of Talbot County Library, treasurer of Mid-Shore League of Women Voters, president of the Episcopal Churchwomen of the Diocese of Easton and of Christ Church, Easton, board member of the Mental Health Association of Talbot County, and vestry member of Christ Church Easton. She touched so many lives in loving ways and will be long remembered for her compassion, firm friendships, and steadfast faith. She is survived by her loving husband, Waller Hairston; her twin sister, Anne Gillett with husband, Dick, in Seattle WA; her brother, Allen Bartlett, Jr., with wife Jerrie; nephew, Allen, with wife, Gail, in Boston, MA; son, Will, with wife, Susy, in Harrisonburg, VA; daughter, Anne Hairston-Strang with husband, Ray Strang, in Stevensville, MD, daughter, Sallie Miller, with husband, Joe, in Centreville MD; and eight grandchildren (Nathaniel and Timothy Hairston, Paul and Anna Hairston, Connor and Elizabeth Anne Strang, and Peter and Jesse Miller). In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Christ Church, 111 S. Harrison St. Easton, MD 21601 or Talbot Hospice, 586 Cynwood Drive, Easton, MD 21601. A funeral service with Eucharist will be held on Friday, April 1, 2016, 2pm at Christ Church, Easton, MD. The parish hall will be open for visitation with family from 12 to 1:30pm.

Eleanor Bartlett Hairston

March 11, 1937 - March 25, 2016