Don Randolph Haynes

Don “Donnie” Randolph Haynes, 69, after years of service motivated by severe adversity, Don Haynes passed away on Saturday, April 15 at Forsyth Medical Center in Winston Salem, NC.  He was a resident of Eden for many years.

A funeral service will be held at 1:00 pm on Wednesday, April 19, 2017 in Fair Funeral Home Chapel.  Interment will follow in Ridgeview Memorial Gardens with Military Honors performed by the Rockingham County Veteran’s Honor Guard.  The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service (12 - 1 pm) at Fair Funeral Home Chapel.

Donnie was born on October 23, 1947 to the late Isaac Lester Haynes Jr. and Alma Crowder Haynes.  He grew up on Gravel Hill which was the name of the family tobacco farm near Mayfield in Rockingham County.  He graduated from Happy Home Elementary and Ruffin High Schools.  After working for Karastan and Wysong, Donnie served two years in the US Army.  After his honorable discharge, he enrolled in Rockingham Technical College and concurrently worked at General Steel Tank in Reidsville.  In December 1970, an industrial accident at General Steel left Donnie severely injured and totally blind.  He underwent numerous surgeries, and also undertook substantial training to learn Braille and Ambulatory skills.  Deciding to pursue his Bachlor's Degree, he attended Campbell University and graduated with honors from Elon College.  He then worked in administration at Rockingham Community College until he accepted a position with the Blinded Veteran's Association (BVA). Serving out of Richmond, VA, he provided counseling to other blind and vision-impaired veterans traveling throughout the Southeast US.  He decided to return home to Eden, and owned and operated a convenience store in Reidsville.  After selling that business, Donnie began to provide counseling services for the BVA on a volunteer basis at the Durham VA Medical Center.  Since retiring, Donnie lived a life of service.  He was the first President of the BVA of NC, and served as president for more than 20 years. He was active in the Eden Evening Lions Club and local BVA, holding every office in both organizations, most multiple times.

Donnie is survived by two sisters, Peggy Haynes Bynum of Charlotte, NC, and Glynda Haynes Walker (Wayne) of Supply, NC.; nephews Marty Fain and Jay Bynum; nieces, Misha Bynum McKeever (Marty) and Carrie Walker Clemmons; great-niece Darilyn McKeever and great-nephew Jack McKeever; special friend, Janice Brooks McBride, and next-door neighbor extraordinaire, Mickey Corum.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Eden Evening Lions Club, 244 Weaver Street, Eden, NC  27288.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.fairfuneralhome.com