Mary Will "Sarah" Hairston Glenn

February 15, 1932 - March 18, 2022

Mrs. Mary Will Hairston Glenn (Sarah) was born in Crawford, Mississippi on February 15, 1932, to John Mosley Hairston, Sr. and Mary Ella Samuel Hairston, the fourth of thirteen children. She was baptized at Fairview Baptist Church. Her years of service to the Lord were completed at Greater Mt Zion Church in Columbus, Mississippi. She served as a member of the Women’s Missionary Society, Usher Board, as well as Deaconess and Mother of the Church. Mary and Andrew David Glenn, Sr., were married on March 22, 1949, a union that would span 63 years. Mary and Andrew made a home for their eight children that was full of love and never a dull moment. The door was always open to relatives and friends. She was a great cook, and her homemade ice cream rivaled any store brand. She created special memories for her children and grandchildren and never missed an opportunity to remember them on special occasions. Her love and selflessness for God, family, and friends were always the center point of her life. Mary’s love for children led her to pursue a career in education, in 1967 she accepted a teaching position at Head Start with the Early Childhood Program where she worked for 49 years. Having taught three generations of students, extending her love and dedication to educating the young in the public sector and retiring October 10, 2016. Throughout her career as an educator, she achieved many awards and professional child development accreditations and completed additional course work offered through American College, Mary Holmes College, Mississippi University for Women and Mississippi State University. Her devoted leadership was an illuminating beacon of promise to the students, faculty and staff. Her hobbies included reading the Bible - Psalms 91 was her favorite, gardening, using her sharp mind to solve Wheel of Fortune puzzles, sharing her wisdom with others and staying connected with her friends, and traveling to visit family for special occasions and family reunions. Mary prayed that God would allow her to celebrate her 90th birthday and her prayer was answered recently with her many family members and friends. Although her health was declining, she was elated and thankful for all the love shown her. The last words of endearment she shared with her guests was, “I love ya’ll and ain’t a thing you can do about it!” She will be dearly missed by all her loved ones. On Friday, March 18, 2022, Mary passed away, at 90 years of age, at home. She will be lovingly remembered by her eight children: Elder Andrew (Mildred) Glenn Jr., Alvin Glenn, Sandra (Sammie) Williams, Allen (Denise) Glenn, Maxine Morgan, and Darrell Glenn of Columbus, Mississippi; Joyce (Ernest) Strother, Philadelphia, PA; and Mary (Calvin) Elam, Irmo, SC; 21 grandchildren, 31 great-grandchildren and 5 great-great grandchildren; a brother, John (Irene) Hairston, Jr., and sister, Wordley (David) Beard, Columbus, MS; brothers-in-law Albert (Lillie) Glenn, Sr., Memphis, TN; Aaron Arthur (Nancy) Glenn, Columbus, MS and Joe Whitfield, Detroit, MI; and a host of loving nieces, nephews and friends. Mary Will Hairston Glenn is predeceased by parents, John Mosley Hairston, Sr., and Mary Ella Samuel Hairston; her spouse, Andrew David Glenn, Sr.; siblings: 2 infant siblings, Mamie Hairston, Walter Hairston, Katie Williams, Mattie Malone, Ella Sturdivant, Virginia Whitfield, Charlie Hairston and Ernest Ruth Pippins.