Lee Hairston

In Loving Memory of Lee Hairston

January 3, 1963 – April 18, 2025

Lee Hairston, 62, of West Monroe, passed away on April 18, 2025. Born in Crossett, Arkansas, to Kyle and Sue Owens Hairston, Lee was the youngest of three children, growing up alongside siblings Kim and Jeff. His family circle later grew even larger when his parents remarried—adding siblings Amy Hairston-Doss, Mark Vickers, Kim Owen, Stacy Bearden, and Mandy White through Linda Hairston and Bob Vickers.

Lee was preceded in death by his beloved son, Brady Hairston; his parents, Kyle Hairston and Sue Vickers; his sister, Kim Hairston; and his brother-in-law, Bill Doss.

He leaves behind a big, loving family: his wife, Lynne Hairston, who walked beside him faithfully and joyfully, believing they had been chosen by God to share this journey together; his daughter, Brooke Hairston Donajkowski, and her husband Greg; and his precious granddaughter, Louise Roux Donajkowski. He’s also survived by his brother, Jeff Hairston, and wife Terri; his step-parents Linda Hairston and Bob Vickers; and his extended siblings and their spouses: Mark and Ginger Vickers, Kim and Jerry Owen, Stacy and David Bearden, Mandy and Roy White, and Amy Hairston-Doss. And of course, a large extended family and many, many friends who loved him dearly.

To know Lee was to love Lee. He was always positive, giving, uplifting, and full of good humor. The kind of man whose warmth drew people in, and whose integrity kept them close. Kind-hearted, fun-loving, endlessly skilled—Lee was a jack-of-all-trades and somehow a master of every one. A pilot. A songwriter. A published music artist. A machinist. A crane operator. An inventor. A craftsman. If it had moving parts, he could fix it. If it needed building, he could build it. And if it needed doing, Lee just did it—with heart, creativity, and care.

He had a special gift for carpentry. A true artisan, he could transform wood and stone into something beautiful. He poured his soul into every project. Whether crafting something beautiful from wood or fixing what others couldn’t, his hands were always busy. Even during hospital treatment, Lee was known to sneak out of his room to make small repairs around the building—because serving others wasn’t just something he did, it was who he was.

A devoted follower of Christ, Lee’s love for Jesus was the cornerstone of his life and the foundation of his marriage to Lynne. After first meeting in high school and going their separate ways, they were brought back together. From the moment they reconnected, Lee knew Lynne was the one. Their love was radiant, built on laughter, prayer, music, and a shared mission to serve others with joy.

Lee’s musical talent was extraordinary. Whether leading worship at WFR Church, strumming praise and worship music, playing songs by Rush, or performing something he wrote himself—his voice and guitar lit up every space he entered. His music was never just entertainment; it was an offering, an extension of his love for God and those around him.

Lee had the heart of a servant, the hands of a craftsman, and the soul of an artist. He leaves behind a legacy of love, joy, creativity, and faith that will live on in the hearts of all who knew him.

He will be missed more than words can say—but the mark he left is everywhere. In the music he made. The things he built. The people he loved. And the stories we’ll keep telling.

Services will be April 22nd at WFR Church, 3201 North 7th Street, West Monroe, LA, officiated by David Bromley. Visitation will be held from 1:30pm to 3:00pm and Service immediately follows. For those who will not be able to attend in person, the service will be live streamed at WFR Church YouTube and Facebook.

The pallbearers are Mitch Bailey, Jay Billingsley, John Godwin, Steve Williams, John Pipes, and Rusty Delrio.

Lee requested NO flowers or plants, instead, he asked memorial gifts to be directed to WFR Church Music Ministry to help the music live on!