Anthony “Tony” Del Hairston, 78 of Pine Hall, NC passed Tuesday, July 22, 2025. Public viewing will be held Sunday July 27, 2025, from 1:00 p.m. -7:00 p.m, at Perry-Spencer Funeral Home, 402 Short Avenue Madison, NC. The family will receive friends from 2:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m., Monday July 28, 2025 at Pine Hall Missionary Baptist Church, 1416 Pole Bridge Rd., Pine Hall, NC with the “Celebration of Life" beginning at 3:00 p.m. Interment will follow in the church cemetery.

Funeral service will be livestreamed on: Facebook
under: Perry-Spencer Funeral Home page

Anthony “Tony” Del Hairston was born on October 8, 1946, in Pine Hall, North Carolina, to John L. and Ruth A. Hairston. In the early morning hours of July 22, 2025, he was called home to be with the Lord.

Education was a cornerstone of Tony’s life. He graduated as Valedictorian from London High School in 1964 and went on to earn a Bachelor of Science in English, graduating Magna Cum Laude from NC A&T in 1968. Among the many honors he received, he was inducted into Kappa Delta Pi, an international honor society in education, on December 8, 1967. He completed his studies in 1975, earning a Master of Science in English from NC A&T, graduating Summa Cum Laude.

Tony began his career in education in 1968 as a 9th-grade English teacher at Madison-Mayodan Junior High. He later taught high school English at Madison-Mayodan High School from 1974 to 1979. After a brief hiatus from the classroom, Tony worked in sales with Southern Foods, Life of Georgia, and Liberty Life from 1984 to 1991. However, his passion for teaching brought him back to education. He returned in 1991 to teach middle school Language Arts in the Guilford County School System, first at Lincoln Middle School and later at Southwest Middle School, where he eventually retired in March 2011.

A true world traveler, Tony visited numerous countries throughout his life. In the early to mid-1970s, he served as a Teacher-Counselor, Campus Principal, and Regional Admissions Counselor with Scholastic International. He also worked as a Chaperone and Area Administrator with the American Institute for Foreign Study. In the early 1990s, he became a Delegation Leader and later Area Director with the People to People Student Ambassador Program. These roles allowed him to continue his love for teaching beyond the traditional classroom, mentoring and inspiring students as they explored the world. Tony cherished these experiences and often shared stories from his travels, especially his travels with People to People.

Tony had a warm, outgoing personality and an uncanny ability to strike up meaningful conversations with just about anyone. Whether chatting with staff at the grocery store, joking with his dentist, or catching up with neighbors, he left a lasting impression everywhere he went.

He was a devoted member of Pine Hall Missionary Baptist Church, where he sang in the male chorus for many years and served as Church Treasurer.

Tony leaves behind a loving family to cherish his memory: his beloved son, John A. Hairston and step-son, Adam Wall; his brother, John “Ted” Hairston (late Mary Jane) of Pine Hall, North Carolina; his sister, Mona L. Willis (Ray) of High Point, North Carolina; he is also survived by his nieces, Stephanie (Jason) Hawkins and Erika (Chris) Perry; his nephew, Byron Willis; one great-niece, Jasmine Hawkins; and two great-nephews, Christopher “Deuce” Perry and Myles Perry. He is also remembered fondly by a host of cousins, extended family, and friends.

Tony will be deeply missed by all who knew him—for his love of music, his animated storytelling, his passion for education, and the joy he brought to every conversation. A truly rich man leaves a legacy of love.

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