Obituary of Emma Hairston Belle

Honoring a Life of Faith, Love, and Service Emma Lois Ann Hairston Belle was born on July 22, 1944, in Henderson, North Carolina, to Rev. Otis L. Hairston, Sr. and Anna Cheek Hairston. She spent her childhood in Raleigh and Greensboro, where she was raised at historic Shiloh Baptist Church. A gifted musician from an early age, Emma developed a love for music that remained with her throughout her life. She graduated from Dudley High School in 1962 and went on to attend the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, where she earned a degree in Music in 1966. As part of an early generation of African American women attending UNCG following desegregation, she helped pave the way for those who followed. During her college years, she formed lifelong friendships with Cara Jeanne Luther and Poinsettia Gallaway Peterson. After graduation, Emma moved to Washington, D.C., where she began her professional career at the Library of Congress. In 1971, she married the love of her life, Dr. Melton P. Belle, and together they built a loving home and raised two daughters, Wanda Michelle Belle and Monica Warrenita Belle. Being a mother was Emma's greatest joy, and she devoted herself to nurturing her daughters with unconditional love, wisdom, faith, and encouragement. Emma later enjoyed a successful career as an Executive Administrator with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Maryland, retiring after more than 20 years of dedicated service. Following retirement, she fulfilled a lifelong goal by researching and self-publishing Words of a Good Shepherd: The Life, Ministry, and Inspirational Messages of the Reverend Dr. Otis L. Hairston, Sr., preserving her father's legacy for future generations. For more than 45 years, Emma was a faithful member of Providence Baptist Church in Baltimore, where she served in numerous ministries and organizations. Known for her kindness, generosity, and thoughtfulness, she never forgot a birthday and delighted in celebrating family and friends with homemade cakes, special desserts, and heartfelt gestures. A talented cook, baker, crafter, and seamstress, she expressed her love through both service and creativity. A two-time breast cancer survivor, Emma faced life's challenges with courage, grace, and unwavering faith. Her life was a testament to love, resilience, service, and devotion to family, friends, and God. Emma passed away peacefully with her daughters by her side on June 11, 2026. She is survived by her two daughters, Wanda M. Belle of Baltimore, MD and Monica W. Belle of Randallstown MD; sister-in-loves, Marie Belle of Asheboro, NC; and Cara Jeanne Luther of College Park, MD; loving aunt, Emma Odim of Pittsburgh, PA. She is also survived by her beloved nieces and nephews, all of whom held a special place in her heart: Keith Belle (Demetria), Denise Belle Petteway (Obadiah), Cassandra Dorsey (Kevin), Charise Milstead (Lyndon), Laura Davis (Tommy), Joseph Belle (Pam), Jeffrey Bennett (Zonnie), John Belle (Sehr), Tommy Belle (Kara), Michael Belle, Lee Hairston (Angela) and Sidney Hairston. She treasured the unique relationships she shared with each of them and delighted in their accomplishments, milestones, and growing families. Those who will also cherish her memory are adopted daughters Kim Lyles (Troy) of Owings Mills MD, Deanna Atchley Belle of Louisville, KY; granddaughter, Kelsey Parker of Owings Mills, MD, special and dear friends, Mary Wilson, Jane Locke, Poinsettia and Pete Peterson, and a host of grandnieces, grandnephews, cousins, and friends. She was preceded in death by her father, Rev. Otis L. Hairston, Sr., mother, Anna Cheek Hairston, brother, Otis Hairston, Jr., husband, Dr. Melton P. Belle, and sister-in-love, Sarah Belle Felipa. Emma was deeply cherished, adored, and admired by all who loved and knew her, not only for her devotion as a daughter, mother, wife, aunt, cousin and friend, but for the example she set each day through her character, integrity, grace, kindness, and unwavering faith. Her light and legacy will live on. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the following organizations in memory of Emma Belle: American Heart Association (https://www.heart.org) Centennial Endowment Fund Make checks payable to: Providence Baptist Church 1401 Pennsylvania Ave Baltimore MD 21217 PayPal: http://paypal.me/pbc1401 Memo: "Centennial Endowment Fund"