COLUMBUS — Lena Dell Hairston, 83, died Jan. 24, 2026, at her residence.

Funeral services will be at noon Saturday, at Zion Hill Church, with Bobby Sanders officiating. Burial will follow at Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be from 2-6 p.m. Friday at Lee-Sykes Funeral Home. Lee-Sykes Funeral Home of Columbus is in charge of arrangements.

Mrs. Hairston was born Feb. 13, 1942, in Noxubee County, to the late Corene Cooper Hicks and Armand Kidd Hicks. She attended Molly School and was formerly employed as a cook with Kountry Kitchen.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Walter James Hairston; son, Kennie Hicks; and siblings, Mike Hicks, James Hicks, Johnny HIcks, Jerry Hicks and Louise Jordan.

She is survived by her son, Dennis Hicks; siblings, Katherine Hicks, Annie Johnson, Doris Potlow, Susie Smith and Glenn Hicks, all of Columbus, Robert Hicks, Eddie HIcks, Sammie Hicks and Thomas Hicks, all of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania; eight grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren.

Pallbearers are Essex Hicks, Kirk Hicks, Marco Hicks, Roz Hicks, Deandra Potlow and Antonio Brook.