OBIT: Marlene Mae (Murphy) RAYFORD, 2001, native of Somerset County, PA
  
  Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Meyersdale Library 
  Transcribed and proofread by John C. Oester.
  
  Copyright 2005.  All rights reserved.
  http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
  http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/somerset/
  _______________________________________________
  
  RAYFORD
  
  Merlene Mae (Murphy) Rayford, 55, Ft. Washington, Md., made her transition
  from this life on March 18, 2001, at her home.  Born March 10, 1946 in
  Somerset, she will join her mother Genevieve Mae (Barron) Murphy, her
  grandparents Orlo and Merla (Garlitz) Barron, and all those family members
  and friends who have crossed over.  She leaves a loving husband of 30 years,
  Albert L. Rayford to cherish her memory.  She leaves behind a sister,
  Patricia Murphy Stoecker and brother-in-law Barry Stuecker, of Phoenix,
  Ariz., and her father Patrick A. Murphy and his wife, Ardis Murphy of
  Temple Hills Md.  She is also survived by her great-aunt Cora Shaffer of
  Somerset and uncles, aunts, and cousins whom she loved so much. Merlene was
  a former resident of Summersville, W.Va.  She attended Nicholas County
  Schools until moving to the Washington D.C. metropolitan area in 1961.  She
  graduated from Suitland High School in 1964.  Her Federal Civil Service
  career began as a clerktypist at the Naval Oceanographic Office in
  Suitland.  She was later stationed at the Pentagon and Andrews AFB as a
  program analyst; and the Washington Navy Yard and Crystal City in
  Arlington, Va., as a budget analyst and administrative officer.  She ended
  her career as a budget analyst at the Census Bureau in Suitland when she
  retired in 2000. Merlene enjoyed many hobbies throughout her life. Among
  her greatest interests were traveling, music, reading, painting, gardening,
  arts and crafts, and silversmithing.  She will be remembered for the
  largeness of her heart and artistic spirit.  Friends and family will be
  received from 911 a.m. Wednesday at Miller Funeral Home, Somerset, with g
  service at 11 a:m., Pastor Kenneth Diable officiating.  Interment will
  follow at Somerset County Memorial Park. A memorial service will be held at
  noon March 23 at the Ministry of the Word, 1103 Md. Rt. 3 North, Crofton,
  Md.  Memorial contributions may be made in Merlene's memory to the Minnie
  Pearl Cancer Foundation, 250 25th Ave., N. Suite 412, Nashville, Tenn.,
  37213. Attn. Cancer Research/Patient Resource Library.
  
  Daily American, March 20, 2001
  
  [R100-R101]
  
  
 
  RAYFORD
  
  Merlene Mae (Murphy) Rayford, 55, Ft. Washington, Md., made her transition
  from this life on March 18, 2001, at her home.  Born March 10, 1946 in
  Somerset, she will join her mother Genevieve Mae (Barron) Murphy, her
  grandparents Orlo and Merla (Garlitz) Barron, and all those family members
  and friends who have crossed over.  She leaves a loving husband of 30 years,
  Albert L. Rayford to cherish her memory.  She leaves behind a sister,
  Patricia Murphy Stuecker and brother-in-law Barry Stoecker, of Phoenix,
  Ariz., and her father Patrick A. Murphy and his wife, Ardis Murphy of
  Temple Hills, Md.  She is also survived by her great-aunt Cora Shaffer of
  Somerset and uncles, aunts, and cousins whom she loved so much.  Merlene was
  a former resident of Summersville, W.Va.  She attended Nicholas County
  Schools until moving to the Washington D.C. metropolitan area in 1961.  She
  graduated from Suitland High School in 1964.  Her Federal Civil Service
  career began as a clerk-typist at the Naval Oceanographic Office in
  Suitland.  She was later stationed at the Pentagon and Andrews AFB as a
  program analyst; and the Washington Navy Yard and Crystal City in
  Arlington, Va., as a budget analyst and administrative officer.  She ended
  her career as a budget analyst at the Census Bureau in Suitland when she
  retired in 2000.  Merlene enjoyed many hobbies throughout her life.  Among
  her greatest interests were traveling, music, reading, painting, gardening,
  arts and crafts, and silversmithing.  She will be remembered for the
  largeness of her heart and artistic spirit.  Friends and family will be
  received from 911 a.m. Wednesday at Miller Funeral Home, Somerset, with a
  service at 11 a.m.  Interment will follow at Somerset County Memorial Park.
  A memorial service will be held at noon March 23 at the Ministry of the
  Word, 1103 Md. Rt. 3 North, Crofton, Md.  Memorial contributions may be made
  in Merlene's memory to the Minnie Pearl Cancer Foundation; 250 25th Ave., N.
  Suite 412; Nashville, Tenn., 37213. Attn: Cancer Research/Patient Resource
  Library.
  
  Daily American, March 20, 2001
  
  [R099]