At 107, Reidsville resident ‘amazes’ peers

By Miranda Baines

Published: September 23, 2008

At 107, Dorothy Hairston can still play the harmonica like it’s going out of style.

Hairston entertains at Avante at Reidsville, where she is a resident. She sang one of her favorites, “Precious Lord, Take My Hand,“ during a centenarians’ celebration Monday.

“She still blows the harmonica and blows it well. She sings and plays the harmonica all day long,“ said Angie Wilson, activity assistant. “A lot of folks look forward to hearing her do it. She amazes the other residents.“

Hairston tells staff she used to be a nightclub singer. She spends most of her time in the common areas of the nursing home.

“She strolls around the whole building, back and forth. She keeps busy,“ said Wilson.

“She’s a sweet lady,“ said Sharon Rollinson, a social worker at Avante. “She loves to sing gospel music and hymns.“ She said Hairston has lived at Avante for a year. Born in Floyd County, Va., Hairston was the fifth of six children, according to family. She has been married twice and has no children.

Lucy Kellam, who is 105, was also honored Monday.

“I was glad to get to come down here,“ Kellam said. She talked about growing up on a farm in Rockingham County and later being a housewife and tending to her family.

“I did the cooking and washing and everything,“ Kellam said. “I worked hard, but I enjoyed it.“

Kellam has lived at Avante for three years, said social worker Tiffany Adams.

The staff commented on the remarkable health of Hairston and Kellam.

“They do well to be their age,“ Wilson said.

• Staff writer Miranda Baines can be reached at or 349-4331, ext. 35.