Sylvester 'Bo' 'Sy' Hairston

Sylvester “Bo” Hairston was born on May 22, 1932 to Thomas and Thelma Swanson Hairston in Maybeury (Barlow Hollow), West Virginia. On Tuesday, August 11, 2015, at the age of 83, Sylvester went to be with the Lord while at Mt. Carmel Hospital East in Columbus, Ohio. Sylvester accepted Christ at a young age at Mt. Moriah Baptist Church of Maybeury, West Virginia. He was a former member of Second Community Church, and a current member of Gahanna Community Congregational Church. After graduating from Elkhorn High School in Elkhorn, West Virginia, he received his Bachelor of Science degree from West Virginia State College in 1955. While attending West Virginia State College, he was an enrolled member of ROTC and, upon graduating, received his orders to serve in the US Army as Battalion Commander in Monroe, Michigan. He served in Korea, Oklahoma, El Paso Texas, and following additional training and service, he served as Captain in Portsmoth, Virginia. During his undergraduate studies, he also became a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated, where he actively served and is a lifetime member. His loyalty to his alma maters remained strong, as he was a proud member of the Elkhorn High School Alumni Association and the local chapter of the West Virginia State Alumni Association. On December 25, 1958, after a long courtship, he married his beloved “wifey”, Kay Frances McCoy. They have two children, Lisa Kay and Bryan Keith. Many people will remember Sylvester from his vast career in retail and community service with the Schottenstein Company. He began working with the company in the Tailor Shop, during summer breaks, at the age of 14. In the early 1960’s, he resumed his career with the Schottenstein Company. He worked in the Men’s Department at the North store and served as Manager of the South Store on Parsons Avenue. Referred to by many as “Sy, his tenure with the Schottenstein Company spanned 50+ years. Sylvester is preceded in death by his mother, Thelma Swanson Hairston, his father, Thomas Willie Hairston, and sister Lovella Hairston Nowlin. He leaves to cherish his memory, his loving wife of 57 years, Kay McCoy Hairston; daughter Lisa Hairston-Jones (Winston); son Bryan Keith Hairston; four grandchildren, Bryan Keith II, Taylor Jones, Julian Jones, and Kaylan Hairston, brother Russell (Macie) Hairston, brother-in-law Orlando McCoy, aunts, Ella Mae Hairston and Margaret Swanson Hairston; and a host of loving aunts, nieces, nephews, and friends. A heartfelt Thank You! to our family members and many friends for their continued love, support, and prayers. Thank you also to the staff of Mt. Carmel East Hospice Palliative Care Unit and National Church Residences for their care and compassion. With sincere gratitude, thanks, and love, Connie Harris, we could not have done this without you!