Joe L. Hairston, 81, of 2612 Hobson Rd Axton, Virginia, departed from this life Sunday, August 2, 2020 at his residence. He was born in Henry County, Virginia on June 20, 1939; he was the son of the late Burgess Hairston and late Ruby Waller Hairston. In addition to his parents Mr. Hairston was preceded in death by five brothers, George Hairston, James “Bubba” Hairston, Dover Hairston, Jesse (Bill) Hairston, John (Pete) Hairston and three sisters, Lillian Hairston Carter Eggleston, Clara Mae Hairston Lampkins, and Janie Hairston Adams. He was survived by his loving wife, Barbara Niblett Hairston of the home; a daughter, Valerie Hairston Barbour and her husband Perry of Ridgeway, VA; one grandson, Brandon M. Hairston and his wife Britney of Greensboro, NC; four sisters, Thennie Hairston Dent of Roanoke VA, Gertrude Hairston Cook of Washington D.C, Annie Ruth Hairston of Cleveland, OH, and Mabel Hairston Pritchett and her husband Ben of Martinsville, VA, two brothers, Ervin Hairston and his wife Indiana of Martinsville, VA, and Harry Hairston and his wife Janice of Axton, VA, and two sister-in-laws, Cecil Hairston of Axton, VA and Eunice Hairston of Martinsville, VA. Mr. Hairston worked for the Henry County Sheriff’s Department for 39 years as First Lieutenant. He attended Law Enforcement Officer’s Training School and was the National Deacon of Board Treasurer of The Way of the Cross Churches International, a member of the Carver Ruritan Club, a part of the United States Department of Drug Enforcement Administration. He was also part of the following affiliations; Piedmont, New River, and Central Virginia Regional Criminal Justice Training Center, Federal Bureau of Investigation, West Piedmont Criminal Justice Fire Arms Training Academy, Western Reserve University Center of Criminal Justice, Henry County High Intensity Target Unit, Public Safety Response to Terrorism Awareness, Cold Case Homicide Unit, Axton Fire Department, Salvation Army Volunteer, Trustee Board Member Deacon, Transportation Committee and a Sunday School teacher. Funeral services for Mr. Hairston will be held at the C.R.V Memorial Chapel at Hairston Funeral Home at 2:30pm on Wednesday, August 5, 2020. If weather is permitting the family invites the rest of family and friends to the burial immediately following the services at Carver Memorial Gardens. With CDC guidelines in place implementing social distancing and face coverings being required for all services. A public viewing for Mr. Hairston will be held Tuesday, August 4, 2020 from 1-5pm at C.R.V. Memorial Chapel at Hairston Funeral Home 301 Fayette St Martinsville, VA.