Betty Jean Hairston, 80 of Waldorf, Maryland transitioned November 8, 2024.

Anybody who knows my Mama knows that she was very outspoken (with barely a filter) …We, her family know her as bossy.

With that being said, she wanted to ensure we followed her instructions, so she handwrote a copy and told me where to find it, also in a handwritten note. To make sure it was done HER way…

I Betty Jean (Keys) Hairston was born March 13, 1944, in Welcome, MD, to the late John Keys Sr. and Josephine Keys. I departed this life on November 8, 2024, at the University of Maryland Charles Reginal Medical Center, located in La Plata, MD.I attended Hilltop and Mt. Hope Elementary Schools and graduated from Bel Alton High School in Bel Alton, MD in 1962.

I married in 1963 and out of that union I had my "one and only child", Melinda "Dee, Lil Dee" Hairston who is smart, can fix anything, is great at putting things together, and can decorate anywhere. She and I also love fashion.

I worked for the U.S. Government Printing Office and retired after 26 years. I think I made a powerful mark on this earth with the strength from my mother, Ms. Josephine Keys, a wonderful woman who loved God.

My favorite quotes: "If I can't help you, I won't harm you", "No matter what's going on in your life, always keep yourself up", "Its better to give than to receive"

I loved oldies but goodies, Love Peace and Happiness and all uplifting hymns. My favorite scriptures are Job and Psalm 23.

I loved watching Perry Mason, In the Heat of the Night, Adam-12 and Judge Judy. I met a lot of people along the way. I had two close and dear friends in my life, Gloria Washington and Naomi Freeman.

I was preceded in death by my parents John Keys, Sr. and Josephine Keys, two sisters, Sarah Thompson and Josephine E. Keys, two nieces, Brenda Jackson and Carolyn Mason, six nephews, Roland Gutrick, Jr., Eugene Gutrick, Sr., James Thompson, Jr., Larry Burns, George Burns, Elroy Keys, two brothers-in-law, Roland Gutrick, Sr., and Earl Burns, Sr.

I survived by my loving family. My "one and only" daughter Melinda "Dee" Hairston, my Granddaughters Le'Dreka "Big Baby" Swann, Shartanique "Twin" Watson, my Grandson Brisayon "Teddy Bear" Watson, and my Great Granddaughter Lyric "Diamond" Swann. My two sisters Cordelia Burns and Marguerite Jackson, my brother Deacon John F. Keys Jr., my sister in law Theresa Keys, two brother in laws, Russell Thompson and Leroy Jackson. My bonus family, Donald, DaRell, Marcell, Brianna, and Jarrell. I also survived by my nieces, nephews, cousins, family and friends.

I never liked the word "Goodbye", so I'm saying, "So Long". I LOVE everyone. See you when you get there…

Love, Betty

Friends may visit with the family Monday, December 2nd from 10am until time of funeral service at 11am in The Chapel of Thornton Funeral Home, 3439 Livingston Road Indian Head, MD 20640. Interment immediately to follow at Zion Baptist Church Cemetery, Welcome, MD.

On Monday, December 2, 2024  at 11:00 am, please click on the link below to live stream the service.

Please make sure when viewing the services that the volume located in the right lower corner (where it says "live") on the viewing screen is turned up (the bars should be blue).

The streaming will begin after the final family viewing.  Therefore, there may be a delay before the service appears on the screen. Thank you.

https://www.thorntonfuneralhomepa.com/live-stream