Henry L. Rayford Jr.

Henry L. Rayford Jr., age 64 of Defiance, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, July 14, 2022 at The Medical Center at Caverna in Horse Cave, Kentucky.   
  
He was born on August 2, 1957 to the late Henry and Ruby (Dockery) Rayford in Marshall County, Mississippi. On December 30, 1988 he married Ida Mae (Fitts) Rayford, who survives. 
  
Henry attended Believer's International Church in Defiance, and was a member of  Defiance Eagles #372 and Moose Lodge #2094. He worked as a Coordinator at Campbell's Soup Company in Napoleon for several years until his retirement in 2018. Henry enjoyed playing softball, fishing, and collecting coins. He will be sadly missed by his family and many good friends.
  
Henry is survived by his loving wife, Ida Mae Rayford of Defiance, his stepdaughters; Jaocrece (Fred) Buford and Antoinette Fitts, eight step-grandchildren, his brothers; Larry Rayford, Eddie Rayford, Kennedy Rayford, Clifton (Sharon) Rayford, Rená (Ivy) Rayford, and Joseph (Jean) Rayford, and his sisters; JoAnn Rayford and Leatrice Rayford. He also leaves behind his close friends, Sandy McKeen and Stub Turner, several aunts, especially his Aunt Truly B. Banks, and many uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins.
  
He was preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Ruby Rayford, and his sister, Francis Mae Freeman.
  
Visitation will be held on Thursday, July 21, 2022 from 2-4 and 6-8 pm at Schaffer Funeral Home in Defiance, and from 10-11 am on Friday morning at the church. A funeral service to celebrate his life will be held on Friday, July 22, 2022 at 11:00 am at Believer's Church International, with Apostle O. Michael Smith officiating. Burial will follow the service at Riverside Cemetery.
  
Memorials are suggested to American Cancer Society. 

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