CORINTH

It has been 12 years since the descendants of Philip and Millie Johnson Raiford have gotten together under one roof to celebrate their ancestral roots. Judy Raiford Pantelides, together with cousins Diane Kendall and Raiford Wilson, are organizing the upcoming event to take place from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 5, at Corinth Friends Meeting.

Judy has been working on updating the family tree for a number of years now and has connected with hundreds of new family members since 2007 when she organized the last reunion. There are kin coming from as far as Oregon, California, Montana, New Jersey and New York and, of course, many will be coming from the Corinth, Ivor and Franklin areas.

There are many specific family members we will acknowledge but certainly ones like Dr. Rufus L. Raiford who started Raiford Memorial Hospital; Dr. Morgan Burgess Raiford, who organized the 1980 Raiford reunion; as well as family who attended the 1980 reunion with wonderful memories to share will be recognized.

Relatives are asked to bring a dish to share and a chair for sitting outside to enjoy the talented family musicians. Drinks and paper products will be provided. If you have family photos, Bibles, family trees and memorabilia, please bring those to share.

Information about the family from 1600 in Crediton, England, will be shared as well as Judy’s visits to the homeland of Philip Rayford/Raiford, the first family member to come to America. She is updating the Raiford family tree and book, as the third and last book was completed 30 years ago by William Russell Raiford. Judy has an update on Raiford, who is unable to travel from Georgia for the reunion but has words he has asked to be shared with the attendees. She wants to be sure as many of the family members are included in this updated book.

A number of door prizes will be provided, one of which will be an Ancestry DNA kit. If family members wish to share photo copies or memorabilia ahead of time, they can be sent to Judy at yatrosp@gmail.com or plan to bring them to share with relatives. Please RSVP by Friday, Sept. 27, to Judy by email or at 757-288-3590. We are looking forward to a wonderful time together!