Joan Raiford Obituary Joan Lowe Raiford December 8, 1937 － December 6, 2022 Franklin － Joan Lowe Raiford, known as "Ma" to her friends and family, passed away on December 6, 2022 after a long battle with Alzheimer‚Äôs. Joan was born on December 8, 1937 and was a lifetime resident of Franklin, VA. It is here where she met Billy, her husband of 65 years. A beloved wife, mother and grandmother, Joan was happiest in her home, preparing great southern cooked meals and helping her family and friends. Often, Joan could be found in her sewing room where she enjoyed making countless baby blankets, quilts, and projects for her friends and church. She was a loyal member of the Franklin Congregational Christian Church and worked for the City of Franklin Department of Social Services for 30 years. Joan was preceded in death by her parents Guy Barclay and Eunice Holt Lowe and her son in law Lawrence Beale. Left to cherish her memory is her husband and love of her life, John "Billy" Raiford; daughters Joann Gatten (Burdette) and Sue Beale both of Franklin and grandchildren Gabby and Barclay Gatten and Megan and Miles Beale. Joan‚Äôs family expresses special thanks to the staff of East Pavilion and Southampton Memorial Hospital where she was well cared for and loved for 5 years. While Alzheimer‚Äôs may have stolen Joan‚Äôs recent memories, she never forgot her love for her family, especially her husband who she affectionately referred to as "my Billy". A memorial service will be held on Thursday, December 22 at 2:00 p.m. at Franklin Congregational Christian Church with the Rev. James H. Hyatt, Jr. officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Franklin Congregational Christian Church, 412 N. High Street, Franklin, VA 23851. Obituary published on Legacy.com by Wright Funeral Home and Crematory － Franklin on Dec. 8, 2022. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- See also: 1) https://www.wrightfuneralhome.org/obituary/Joan-Raiford 2) https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/name/joan-raiford-obituary?id=38340622 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ### Narrative Summary of the Obituary Joan Lowe Raiford, a lifelong resident of Franklin, VA, passed away on 6 December 2022 after a long battle with Alzheimer's. She was born on 8 December 1937 and was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother. ### Narrative Summary of Funeral Services A memorial service was held on 22 December 2022 at Franklin Congregational Christian Church. ### The Edited Obituary Joan Lowe Raiford 8 December 1937 - 6 December 2022 Franklin - Joan Lowe Raiford, known as "Ma" to her friends and family, passed away on 6 December 2022 after a long battle with Alzheimer's. Joan was born on 8 December 1937 and was a lifetime resident of Franklin, VA. It is here where she met Billy, her husband of 65 years. A beloved wife, mother, and grandmother, Joan was happiest in her home, preparing great southern cooked meals and helping her family and friends. Often, Joan could be found in her sewing room where she enjoyed making countless baby blankets, quilts, and projects for her friends and church. She was a loyal member of the Franklin Congregational Christian Church and worked for the City of Franklin Department of Social Services for 30 years. Joan was preceded in death by her parents, Guy Barclay and Eunice Holt Lowe, and her son-in-law, Lawrence Beale. Left to cherish her memory is her husband and love of her life, John "Billy" Raiford; daughters Joann Gatten (Burdette) and Sue Beale, both of Franklin; and grandchildren Gabby and Barclay Gatten and Megan and Miles Beale. Joan's family expresses special thanks to the staff of East Pavilion and Southampton Memorial Hospital, where she was well cared for and loved for 5 years. While Alzheimer's may have stolen Joan's recent memories, she never forgot her love for her family, especially her husband, whom she affectionately referred to as "my Billy". A memorial service will be held on 22 December at 2:00 p.m. at Franklin Congregational Christian Church, with the Rev. James H. Hyatt, Jr. officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Franklin Congregational Christian Church, 412 N. High Street, Franklin, VA 23851. Obituary published on Legacy.com by Wright Funeral Home and Crematory , Franklin on 8 December 2022. ### Vital Statistics Summary | Name | Joan Lowe Raiford | |---------|-------------------------------------| | Age | 84 years | | Birth | 8 December 1937; Franklin, VA | | Death | 6 December 2022; Franklin, VA | ### Table of Relationships | Name | Relationship | Residence | |-------------------------|-----------------------|------------------------------| | Joan Lowe Raiford | Decedent | Franklin, VA | | John Billy Raiford | Spouse | Franklin, VA | | Joann Gatten (Burdette) | Child | Franklin, VA | | Sue Beale | Child | Franklin, VA | | Gabby Gatten | Grandchild | Franklin, VA | | Barclay Gatten | Grandchild | Franklin, VA | | Megan Beale | Grandchild | Franklin, VA | | Miles Beale | Grandchild | Franklin, VA | | Guy Barclay Lowe | Parent | -- | | Eunice Holt Lowe | Parent | -- | | Lawrence Beale | Predeceased Child | -- | ### Other Relevant Information 1. Joan was a lifelong resident of Franklin, VA. 2. She worked for the City of Franklin Department of Social Services for 30 years. 3. She was a loyal member of the Franklin Congregational Christian Church. 4. She enjoyed making baby blankets, quilts, and projects for her friends and church in her sewing room. 5. She was known as "Ma" to her friends and family. 6. She affectionately referred to her husband as "my Billy".