Oliween Shepard Hairr

Mrs. Oliween Hairr, 86, died on May 16, 2019 at her residence, Heritage Greens Senior Living Community, Greensboro, NC. She was born on May 7, 1933 to the late Franklin Thomas Shepard and Nettie Collins Shepard. She is preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Omax Hairr; her sisters, Alma Autry, Edna Lewis and Louise Popovich and her brother, Vernon Shepard.

Mrs. Hairr was always well-known for her beautiful red hair and her fiesty personality. She attended Clement High School in Autryville, NC where she and her life-long best friend, Edna Canter, were often involved in mischievous escapades and where she performed the female lead in the 1949 school play, "Wild Ginger." It has been said that she was a avid cheerleader from the stands for a certain high school basketball player with the initials O.H. and was quite possessive of his letter jacket!

She left school before graduation to marry Omax in 1950. In 1953 she moved to Greensboro with him, their one year-old daughter and her ailing mother. She became a homemaker and caregiver extraordinaire, always the first person family and friends called on in an emergency. She was a voracious reader and educated herself on countless topics in order to make her home run smoothly and her family feel loved and protected. In 1980, without telling anyone else, she took a refresher course in mathematics and obtained her High School Diploma Equivalency Certificate. She stated afterwards, "I want my grandchildren to know I think education is important."

After raising her daughters, Mrs. Hairr occassionally worked part-time jobs in retail, which she found enjoyable because she could use her skills in problem-solving, social interaction and active listening. She also worked as a teaching assistant for several years at Millis Road Elementary School. The arrival of grandchildren offered her the opportunity to continue to do what she loved best-- nurture and care for young ones. Imagine her satisfaction when her great-grandchildren were added to the family--yet another chance to rock, cuddle and encourage babies.

Mrs. Hairr was a devoted wife, mother, sister, aunt, grandmother and great-grandmother. She spent many years of her adult life providing love, care and support to friends and family, especially for her mother to whom she opened her home for thirty years. A member of Immanuel Baptist Church, she taught Sunday School, sang in the Adult Choir and led many missions and outreach groups. She was an active member of PTA and served as a school volunteer.

She is survived by her daughters, Lynn Jarrard (Jim) of Raleigh, NC and Susan Barr of Burlington, NC; her grandchildren, Lauren (Doug) Tabler, Sara (Jason) Warren, Leslie (Tionne Harrison) Barr and Michael (Emilee) Barr; great-grandchildren, Luke Tabler, Emma Warren, Gavin Tabler, Hudson Warren and Triston Harrison; sisters-in-law, Becky Hairr, Betty Hairr, Pearl Hairr and MaryAnna Stewart; and many nieces, nephews and friends.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, May 20th, 3 pm at Hanes Lineberry Sedgefield Chapel with burial to follow at Guilford Memorial Park. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.

The family offers sincere thanks to Erma Wiley, the staff of Verra Springs at Heritage Greens and Hospice and Palliative Care of Greensboro for the care they provided and extends heartfelt gratitude to Kathalene Friday for the unwavering support and companionship she unselfishly gave, not only to Mrs. Hairr but also to all the family, over the past 15 months. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice and Palliative Care of Greensboro, 2500 Summit Ave., Greensboro, NC 27405 or the American Heart Association, PO Box 744806, Atlanta, GA 30374.

Online condolences may be made at www.haneslineberryfhsedgefield.com