Joel Curtis Hairston (Age 85) passed away peacefully at his home in Nesbit, Mississippi on January 25, 2021. Joel is survived by his wife of 64 years, Anne Hairston and two sisters: Patricia (John) Weaver and Gail (Mickey) Dixon both of Germantown. Joel and Anne were blessed with four surviving sons: David (Jean) Hairston of Nashville, Tennessee, Van (Charlene) Hairston of Olive Branch, MS, Mike (Laura) Hairston of Bartlett, TN and Tim (Kim) Hairston of Fort Campbell, TN. Joel was loved by 12 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren.
Joel was a graduate of Technical High School’s printing program (1954) and a veteran of the US Army (deployed to Korea and Japan). He worked his entire career in the printing industry and founded Craftsman Screen Printing and Craftsman Cutter companies. He was fondly called the “World’s Greatest Printer” by his family and friends.
Joel, known as Pops by his progeny, was uniquely creative and loving. He had an engineer’s brain and a poet’s heart. He produced many games and toys in his shop that he frequently shared with family and friends. He invented the Tadpole Walker and created the “Valley of the Black Pig,” an aesthetic juxtaposition for his grandchildren and great-grandchildren (the Guggenheimers).
He enjoyed breakfast with the Old Geezers (Old Men’s club) at McDonald’s as well as the exercise class and Mahjong matches with the ladies at Snowden Grove Recreational Center. He loved to make people smile and laugh and was notorious for wild stories to brighten everybody’s day.
He was devoted to his wife Anne, the love of his life. He filled their life together with hijinks and adventures. He is sorely missed, but his family will carry his flag of fun and frivolity into the future.
Visitation will be at Memphis Funeral Home, 5599 Poplar Ave, Memphis, TN 38119 Sunday, January 31, 2021 from Noon to 2 pm. The Service will be at 2 pm followed by a graveside service at Memorial Park.
