Southampton County Virginia USGenWeb Archives Obituaries.....Raiford, Levi P., 1932 

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LEVI P. RAIFORD 

  Levi P. Raiford, a well-known citizen of the Corinth community, ended a long 
life of activity, March 4 at the age of 87.  He was the son of William and 
Mrs. Betsy Raiford and was born July 23, 1844, in Southampton County.  On 
December 1, 1880 he married Miss Alice Craber, this union continuing over 51 
years.  Of this marriage eleven children survive, one dying in infancy.  At 
his home near Corinth he resided for the past 41 years.  The home of Levi and 
Mrs. Alice Raiford was a centre of attraction, where friends, children and 
grandchildren received a hearty welcome and in times of sickness sympathy and 
help were freely given.  Each child and grandchild was to him a source of 
pleasure, his personal interest in their welfare endeared him to them all. 

  He was of a quiet disposition, affectionate in the home, with kind words for 
one and all.  Music and singing pleased him.  It gave him great pleasure to 
have his children gather around the fireside for companionship and song, 
before separating he would ask them to sing his favorite hymn, "God Be With 
You 'Til We Meet Again." 

  His health began to fail in 1929, which compelled him to give up some of 
the work on the farm, yet his interest and oversight continued.  His kind 
and gentle thoughtfulness for his devoted wife and others and the beautiful 
Christian patience with which he bore his suffering can not be forgotten by 
those who were with him until the end. 

  He is survived by his wife and eleven children: Philip M. Raiford, Mrs. 
Fanny Branche, Mrs. Viola Thompson, Mrs. Lee West, Mrs. Eulah Branche, Mrs. 
Hattie Branche, Fred Raiford, Mrs. Carrie Carroll, Robert Raiford, Mrs. 
Maude Raiford Scott and Miss Ida June Raiford; 36 grandchildren, one great-
grandchild. 

  Funeral services were held Monday, March 7th at Corinth Friends Church with 
Rev. Jesse A. Stanfield officiating.  Rev. and Mrs. J.A. Stanfield sang "Meet 
Me There," and E.J. Raiford sang a solo, "The Christian’s Good Night."  The 
casket was covered with a double cluster of white lilies and carnations and 
interment was made in the family burial ground on the old home place near 
Ivor.  "God Be With You 'Til We Meet Again" was sung at the grave.  The active 
pallbearers were: John, Junius and Lonnie Branche, Walter C. Raiford, Geo. 
Philip Raiford, Harold, Philip and Paul Branche. 

****************************************************************************** 

IN MEMORIAM 

In loving memory of our dear Papa, Levi P. Raiford, who passed away March 4, 
1932. 

Often do our thoughts wander, 
To a grave not far away; 
Where they laid our precious Papa, 
Two long months ago today. 

Our home circle has been broken, 
There's a vacancy that can't be filled; 
How we miss your tender care, dear Papa, 
Oh, so much no one can tell. 

Our hearts are heavy since you left us, 
Home does not seem the same anymore; 
Yet we gather there still often, 
Just as we did in the days of yore. 

Your sweet face will always linger, 
In our minds we can't forget; 
That dear, peaceful look, you bore, 
When at last from us you went. 

  Devoted mother and children. 


Levi Philip RAIFORD, farmer, 
b. 23 Jul 1844, Southampton Co., d. 4 Mar 1932, at home, Corinth, 
interred in the RAIFORD family cemetery*, Seacock Chapel Rd., 7 Mar 1932, 
"Tidewater News" (Franklin, VA), Vol. 27, No. 22, Fri., Mar. 11, 1932, p. 8; 
"Tidewater News" (Franklin, VA), Vol. 27, No. 30, Fri., May 6, 1932, p. 8 

*Additional information: 

Southampton County Historical Society {SCHS} Cemetery Project, 
   Miscellaneous Cemeteries, Vol. 8 (MV-VIII-25): 
   http://files.usgwarchives.net/va/southampton/cemeteries/miscvol8.txt 

An abstract of D.Cert. 1932-1227-7143 (Berlin & Ivor #3) is posted at: 
   http://files.usgwarchives.net/va/southampton/vitals/deaths/r163l1dc.txt 

His brother John Tyler RAIFORD (1847 - 1932) is also buried there. 

Their parents, William & Elizabeth (JENKINS) RAIFORD, are thought to be 
   buried there, unmarked. 

John's obit ("Tidewater News," Feb. 26, 1932, p. 1) is posted at: 
   http://files.usgwarchives.net/va/southampton/obits/r163j13o.txt 

Their sister Martha Elizabeth (RAIFORD; Mrs. Henry) RAIFORD (1842 - 1924) 
   is buried in the RAIFORD-MUNFORD family cemetery, Appleton Rd.  (MV-VIII-8) 
   She is also listed in the Corinth Friends Cemetery, Appleton & Clayton Rds. 
   SCHS Cemetery Project, Miscellaneous Cemeteries, Vol. 1 (MV-I-6): 
   http://files.usgwarchives.net/va/southampton/cemeteries/miscvol1.txt 


Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by 
File Manager Matt Harris (zoobug64@aol.com). 

file at: 
http://files.usgwarchives.net/va/southampton/obits/r163l8ob.txt