FRANKLIN—Beaury Edwin Raiford, Sr., 95, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, passed away November 14, 2013. A native of Southampton County and an Army veteran of World War II, he was a son of the late John Gurley and Raynor Bulls Raiford and a retired farmer and welder. He loved working the land and farm life. Mr. Raiford was a member and deacon of Black Creek Baptist Church. Besides his parents, he was predeceased by his step-mother, Hattie B. Raiford; sister, Lucille West, and brother, Hubert Raiford.

Left to cherish his memory is his wife of 72 years, Thelma Lowe Raiford; son, Beaury Edwin “Ed” Raiford, Jr. (Irene); two daughters, Kay R. Meditz (John) and Connie R. Carpenter (Mack) all of Franklin; six grandchildren, John Kenneth Raiford (Tabby), Beth Michelle Pulley (Tilden), Pamela Renee Wood (Carl), Joseph Miller, Jennifer Roughton, Crystal Drewry; ten great-grandchildren, Jordan Pulley, Michaela Pulley, Brandon Raiford, Wyatt Raiford, Rylee Wood, Ethan Drewry, Brianna Drewry, Peyton Drewry, Lori Miller, and Bryan Roughton.

A funeral service will be held at 2 PM Sunday, November 17, 2013, at Black Creek Baptist Church with the Rev. Greg Kitts and the Rev. Willis Switzer officiating. Burial will follow at Rosemont Cemetery, Sedley.

The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 PM on Saturday at Wright Funeral Home and suggests memorials be made to Black Creek Baptist Church or the Alzheimer’s Association. www.wrightfuneralhome.org.