Loretta Hair lovingly known as "Sis. Hair" was born on August 20, 1935 to Mary Beal and Cleo Towns in East St. Louis, Illinois. She was an only child. Both parents and an uncle, whom she loved so dearly, Sharon Beal, preceded her in death.

She grew up in East St. Louis and was educated in the East St. Louis school system. She confessed a hope in Christ at Hopewell Baptist under the leadership of Rev. Alex Moore. She said she joined Hopewell because of her uncle, Bro. Beal ("Uncle Bud" as she so lovingly called him), was a deacon at Hopewell and she wanted to be near him.

Sis. Hair met and married James Hair in 1960. She was the mother of six children, two boys, Walter Hair and Maryland Hunter, and one girl, Georgia Franklin preceded her in death. She raised most of her grandchildren. She made sure that all of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren attended church. She brought them all to Hopewell.

Sis. Hair was a beautiful person. She had the prettiest head of thick, long white hair. She always kept a smile on her face and had a very easy going personality. She was very active at Hopewell. Sis. Hair sang in the Senior and Mass Choirs where she was  secretary for many years and kept very accurate records. She believed in writing everything down. She was on the Mother's Board. She sent the Hopewell's members cards, whether for their birthday, sympathy, or just for encouragement. Sis Hair always took time out to show her love for the members of the church. She would always call to check on you if she heard you weren't feeling well. The Culinary Committee (Kitchen Committee) was her passion. She was asked to work in the kitchen when no one else really wanted to work. She said she wanted to do what she could for the Lord, and that is what she did. She worked in the kitchen untiringly. She cooked, cleaned, and served in the kitchen. She never really sat down when she was in the kitchen. She would often be among the last ones to leave. She was always doing something to make sure everything and everyone was being taken care of. She loved working in the kitchen so much until she trained her grandchildren, Shannon and Shaina, and her daughter, Shirley and her fiancé, Arlando and other family members to work on the Culinary Committee. She received the "Mother Of The Year" award in the early "90's from Hopewell. Sis Hair shall be deeply missed.

Sis. Hair was employed at Beef & Bun for years. She cooked anything and made it taste like she had labored over it all day. She was known for her delicious banana pudding. Sis. Hair loved to listen to God's word, walk in the park, bowl, go shopping, and play baseball with the kids. She departed this life on Sunday, July 2, 2017 at 9:17 p.m. at Memorial Hospital in Belleville, Illinois while surrounded by family members and friends.

Sis. Hair leaves to mourn her passing, two sons, Odell Hunter and Rodney Hair of East St. Louis, IL; one daughter, Shirley Hair of East St. Louis, IL (fiance, Arlando Mischeaux of New Orleans, LA); 11 grandchildren, Devon Hair (Tya Bush) Shontel Austin, Rufus Austin, Jr., Shannon and Shaina Austin, Anthony Hunter, Tangela Hunter, Steven Dewalt, Donnell, Jerald, and Johnathan Franklin all of East St. Louis, IL, 16 great-grandchildren, 21 great-great-grandchildren; one sister-in-law, Betty Allen of Starksville, MS; special friends, Delphine Brown, Willie M. Cunningham, Elvia Grimes, Catholean Gully and a host of other family members and friends.