Robert Bruce Raiford

~ Honorary Pallbearers ~

The Raiford Family would like to express our sincere appreciation for all your prayers, love, and support during our time of loss. We will forever cherish your acts of kindness to our family. May God continue to bless us all in the days to come. ~The Family

“I ’m Free”

Don’t grieve for me for now I’m free, I’m following the path God laid for me.

I took His hand when I heard Him call: I turned my back and left it all.

I could not stay another day To laugh, to love, to work or play.

Tasks left undone must stay that way; I found my place at the close of day.

~ Honorary Pallbearers ~

Marvin Stewart Keatris Austin Jyrome Richmond, Jr. Keith Sessom

NaTorri Pigues Denarrius Pigues Sherman Sessom Richard Summers

~ Active Pallbearers ~

JuJuan Austin Kendall Holt Curtis Lee Jones

Travinsky Austin Randy Holt Tracey King

~ Committal Rites & Interment ~ Mt. Gilliam Cemetery North Watson Road Byhalia, Mississippi

If my parting has left a void Then fill it with remembered joys.

A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss, Ah yes, these things I too shall miss.

Be not burdened with times of sorrow: I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow.

My life’s been full, I savoured much; Good friends, good times, a loved ones touch.

Perhaps my life seemed all too brief: Don’t lengthen it now with undue grief.

Lift up your heart and share with me; God wanted me now, He set me free.

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Reflections of Life

Mr. Robert Bruce Raiford was born on April 7, 1938, to the

late Sherman Raiford, Sr. and Laura Tennial Raiford in Desoto County, Mississippi.

He confessed his life to Christ at an early age. He later married Mrs. Alice Brown, who preceded him in death.

In March 1, 1974, he started his career with Lehman Roberts Asphalt and Pavement. After 39 faithful years, he retired March 10, 2013

Order of Service Sunday, September 26, 2021

Mr. Raiford was preceded in death by one brother Sherman Raiford, Jr. and one sister, Lelia Newsom.

New Mt. Gilliam M.B. Church

He leaves to cherish his four children, James Rayford (Sylvia) of Hernando, Mississippi, Randy Rayford (Evelyn) of Byhalia, Mississippi, Sylvia Rayford (Johnny) of Byhalia, Mississippi, and Marvin Stewart of Mt. Horeb, Wisconsin, his Godchildren; Patricia Sessom, Jerry Rayford, Ruthie Brounson, Lena Jones, Mary Stewart, James Stewart, and Maurice Stewart, his siblings, Lizzie Austin (T.H.), Bernice Jones, Annie Sessom, Prinsetta Raiford, Beatrice Sessom (George), Lucy Sanders, Shirley Redmond, Debra Richmond, Carl Raiford, and James Earl Raiford, eleven grandchildren, fifteen great-grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

2:00 P.M.

774 Stonewall Road Byhalia, Missisippi 38661 Pastor Session, Pastor & Officiating

Processional Scripture Readings:

Old Testament........Deacon Charlie Higgins

New Testament................Deacon Joe Davis Prayer............................................Rev. Tony Taylor Song...................................New Mt. Gilliam Chorus Words of Encouragement...............Talmous Phillips Expressions: (Three People, Two Minutes Please) Family & Friends Resolution................................Mrs. Tamala Mosley Acknowledgements..................Mrs. Tamala Mosley Solo.....................................Mrs. Tawaunia Braxton Eulogy...........................................…Pastor Session Recessional

His Smile Though his smile is gone forever and his hand I cannot touch, I still have so many memories of the one I loved so much.

His memories are my keepsake with which I’ll never part.

God has him in his keeping. I have him in my heart.

Baby sister Debra