Mattie "Elsie" Mitchell Hairston Reid
On Sunday, March 20, 2022 God sent His heavenly angels down to render the earthly journey of Mattie (Elsie) Reid. Her journey began on February 2, 1942 in Bassett, Virginia and she lived a full life on earth of 80 years and 46 days. She was preceded in death by her parents, Elder Booker T. Hairston, Sr. and Mattie Mitchell Hairston, husband, John L. Reid, sister, Onie Delois Hairston Joyce and brothers, Waverly L. Hairston, Curtis W. Hairston, Booker (June) T. Hairston, Jr, and James Hubert Hairston.
Everyone called her by her nickname, Elsie. She was a loving mother, grandmother, great grandmother and sister who dedicated her life to her family. She lived a full life. As an adult, she married and moved to New Jersey in 1963, built a family and lived half of her life there then returned to Virginia in 2001. She moved back ‘home’ and departed peacefully where she was born and raised. “You can take the girl out of the country but you cannot take the country out of the girl”, She would say.
She was an easy-going woman with a heart of gold. Her warm smile and genuine concern made everyone in her presence feel important and seen. Elsie loved flowers and planted the most beautiful tulips. Later in life unfortunately she became allergic. She always said; give me my flowers while I’m above ground.
Elsie loved the lord and many years in NJ was a member of the Emanuel Baptist Church and Trinity Baptist Church where she served as Usher and Choir member.
Elsie and John raised two children; daughter, Lorna (Lethea) and son, Anthony (Ant) and one grandson, Tremayne (Boo Boo). Elsie raised them with the backbone of her recurring statement, “There is nothing that you can’t do, as long as you have willpower and determination.” And she was so very proud of the successful adults they became; IT Enterprise Architect, Owner-Operator Entrepreneur and IT Systems Manager respectively.
During her adult life, Elsie had many talents! She worked at Stanleytown furniture, and was most known for being an entrepreneur owning and operating a convenience store – The Corner Variety Store - with her family for over 10 years. She was also a Home Health Aide for a few years. But it was her extremely idealistic and creative Aquarian talents that made her unique. She reconditioned furniture in her family home and was constantly reinventing and redesigning spaces. She was no stranger to a hammer and nail, paint and wallpaper. And a sewing machine too!
In her retirement she enjoyed annual extended visits to NJ to stay connected with her children and grands and all the happenings in their lives. Simple things like reading the paper, watching a good movie on Lifetime Movie Network, watching the news, talking to her sister Inez and other relatives on the phone, watching NFL Football; Dallas Cowboys and the NY Giants brought her great joy.
Elsie leaves to celebrate her life; her children; Lorna Alethea Reid, Anthony Lewis Reid (Krista) and her grandson, Tremayne Lewis Reid (Brandii); two great-granddaughters, Taylor Alesia Reid and Ryleigh Corinne Reid and a step-grandson, Jordan Murphy-Spivey. Sister, Mary Inez Woods (James); brothers, Robert Hairston (Lillie) and Vance Hairston, Sr. (Edith); a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, many relatives and friends.
