Rudolph Raiford Obituary Rudolph Thomas Raiford April 6, 1929 － September 5, 2023 CHESAPEAKE － RUDOLPH THOMAS "RUDY" RAIFORD, 94 OF SEDLEY VA PASSED AWAY PEACEFULLY WITH FAMILY AT HIS BEDSIDE ON SEPT 5, 2023 IN CHESAPEAKE, VA RUDY WAS BORN APRIL 6, 1929 IN NORFOLK VA TO THOMAS AND MARY "BETTY" RAIFORD. HE ATTENDED HELEN KELLER NATIONAL CENTER FOR DEAFBLIND IN NEW YORK CITY, NY AND THE VIRGINIA SCHOOL FOR DEAFBLIND YOUNG IN STAUNTON, VIRGINIA. HE WAS PREDECEASED BY HIS PARENTS THOMAS R RAIFORD AND MARY E "BETTY" GALTRESS RAIFORD, SISTER MILDRED E RAIFORD CORNET, BROTHERS HAROLD T RAIFORD, ROLAND T RAIFORD, FRANCIS T RAIFORD AND RANDOLPH T RAIFORD. RUDY WORKED FOR THE VA INDUSTRIES FOR THE DEAFBLIND CENTER IN CHARLOTTESVILLE, VIRGINIA WERE HE RETIRED AFTER 30 YEARS OF SERVICE. HE WAS A MEMBER OF THE AMERICAN COUNCIL OF THE BLIND, THE VA WORKSHOP FOR THE BLIND, THE VA DEPARTMENT OF THE BLIND & VISION IMPAIRED AND THE XAVIER SOCIETY FOR THE BLIND, NEW YORK CITY, NY. WHEN HE WASN'T WORKING HE WAS PIDDLING IN HIS SHED WITH HIS MANY TOOLS, HE ENJOYED WORKING WITH HIS HANDS, COULD REPAIR OR PATCH JUST ABOUT ANYTHING. IN HIS YOUTHFUL DAYS HE LIKED TO RIDE HIS MOTORCYCLE, GO TO THE BEACH AND GO FISHING WITH HIS TWIN BROTHER "RANDY", HIS ONLY SISTER "MIL" AND HIS 3 BIG BROTHERS HAROLD, ROLAND, AND FRANCIS. RUDY WAS BORN DEAF AND IN HIS YOUNG ADULT LIFE LOST COMPLETE EYESIGHT, THOUGH HE HAD THESE CHALLENGES HE OVERCAME THEM AND DID NOT LET IT STOP HIM FROM LIVING LIFE TO THE FULLEST, HE HAD A PASSION FOR COLLECTING TRAINS, HE HAD MANY THAT HE WOULD ASSEMBLE, KEEP THEM RUNNING AND ENJOYED GOING TO TRAIN SHOWS IN TOWN TO COLLECT EVEN MORE. HE ALSO LIKED TO GO BOWLING AND FISHING ON HIS DAYS OFF. AFTER LIVING MANY YEARS ON HIS FAMILY FARM IN SEDLEY, VA. HE MOVED TO CHESAPEAKE, VA. WHERE HE LIVED WITH HIS NIECE DEB AND HER FAMILY FOR OVER 20 YEARS. HE ENJOYED BEING CLOSE TO HIS FAMILY ESPECIALLY HIS YOUNG NEPHEWS, NIECES AND THEIR FRIENDS SPENDING TIME BY THE POOL ENJOYING LIFE, HE ALSO LIKE WORKING WITH HIS HANDS IN THE FLOWER BEDS AND SO ENJOYED OVER FEEDING HIS VERY SPECIAL GIRLDOG "ROXY". A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO OUR EXTENDED FAMILY, SHAWNA, CARSON, EMME, & LILLI, KENNY & FAMILY, COLTON, RENEE & FAMILY FOR ALL THE LOVE, EXTRA SUPPORT AND CARING YOU ALL HAD FOR OUR "UNCLE RUDY". HE LOVED AND APPRECIATED EACH ONE OF YOU. MANY THANKS TO SHAKENNA RUDY'S LONGTIME HOME NURSE AND TO BARKY AT WRIGHT FUNERAL HOME FOR ALL YOU DID FOR HIM OUR FAMILY DURING THIS TIME AND THROUGHOUT THE YEARS. A GRAVESIDE GATHERING OF FAMILY AND FRIENDS WILL BE AT THE BLACKCREEK BAPTIST CHURCH CEMETERY IN FRANKLIN, VA WHERE RUDY WILL BE LAID TO REST NEXT TO HIS BELOVED MOTHER, FATHER AND SIBLINGS. Obituary published on Legacy.com by Wright Funeral Home and Crematory － Franklin on Sep. 18, 2023. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- See also: 1) https://www.wrightfuneralhome.org/obituary/Rudolph-Raiford 2) https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/name/rudolph-raiford-obituary?id=53124486 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ### Narrative summary of the obituary: Rudolph Thomas "Rudy" Raiford, 94, of Sedley, VA, passed away on 5 September 2023 in Chesapeake, VA. Born deaf on 6 April 1929, he later lost his eyesight but lived life fully. He worked for VA Industries for the Deafblind Center for 30 years and enjoyed collecting trains, bowling, and fishing. ### Narrative summary of funeral services: A graveside gathering of family and friends was held at the Blackcreek Baptist Church Cemetery in Franklin, VA. Rudy was laid to rest next to his beloved mother, father, and siblings. ### The Edited Obituary Rudolph Raiford Obituary Rudolph Thomas Raiford 6 April 1929 - 5 September 2023 CHESAPEAKE - RUDOLPH THOMAS "RUDY" RAIFORD, 94 OF SEDLEY VA PASSED AWAY PEACEFULLY WITH FAMILY AT HIS BEDSIDE ON 5 SEPTEMBER 2023 IN CHESAPEAKE, VA. RUDY WAS BORN 6 APRIL 1929 IN NORFOLK VA TO THOMAS AND MARY "BETTY" RAIFORD. HE ATTENDED HELEN KELLER NATIONAL CENTER FOR DEAFBLIND IN NEW YORK CITY, NY AND THE VIRGINIA SCHOOL FOR DEAFBLIND YOUNG IN STAUNTON, VIRGINIA. HE WAS PREDECEASED BY HIS PARENTS THOMAS R RAIFORD AND MARY E "BETTY" GALTRESS RAIFORD, SISTER MILDRED E RAIFORD CORNET, BROTHERS HAROLD T RAIFORD, ROLAND T RAIFORD, FRANCIS T RAIFORD AND RANDOLPH T RAIFORD. RUDY WORKED FOR THE VA INDUSTRIES FOR THE DEAFBLIND CENTER IN CHARLOTTESVILLE, VIRGINIA WHERE HE RETIRED AFTER 30 YEARS OF SERVICE. HE WAS A MEMBER OF THE AMERICAN COUNCIL OF THE BLIND, THE VA WORKSHOP FOR THE BLIND, THE VA DEPARTMENT OF THE BLIND & VISION IMPAIRED AND THE XAVIER SOCIETY FOR THE BLIND, NEW YORK CITY, NY. WHEN HE WASN'T WORKING HE WAS PIDDLING IN HIS SHED WITH HIS MANY TOOLS, HE ENJOYED WORKING WITH HIS HANDS, COULD REPAIR OR PATCH JUST ABOUT ANYTHING. IN HIS YOUTHFUL DAYS HE LIKED TO RIDE HIS MOTORCYCLE, GO TO THE BEACH AND GO FISHING WITH HIS TWIN BROTHER "RANDY", HIS ONLY SISTER "MIL" AND HIS 3 BIG BROTHERS HAROLD, ROLAND, AND FRANCIS. RUDY WAS BORN DEAF AND IN HIS YOUNG ADULT LIFE LOST COMPLETE EYESIGHT, THOUGH HE HAD THESE CHALLENGES HE OVERCAME THEM AND DID NOT LET IT STOP HIM FROM LIVING LIFE TO THE FULLEST, HE HAD A PASSION FOR COLLECTING TRAINS, HE HAD MANY THAT HE WOULD ASSEMBLE, KEEP THEM RUNNING AND ENJOYED GOING TO TRAIN SHOWS IN TOWN TO COLLECT EVEN MORE. HE ALSO LIKED TO GO BOWLING AND FISHING ON HIS DAYS OFF. AFTER LIVING MANY YEARS ON HIS FAMILY FARM IN SEDLEY, VA. HE MOVED TO CHESAPEAKE, VA. WHERE HE LIVED WITH HIS NIECE DEB AND HER FAMILY FOR OVER 20 YEARS. HE ENJOYED BEING CLOSE TO HIS FAMILY ESPECIALLY HIS YOUNG NEPHEWS, NIECES AND THEIR FRIENDS SPENDING TIME BY THE POOL ENJOYING LIFE, HE ALSO LIKE WORKING WITH HIS HANDS IN THE FLOWER BEDS AND SO ENJOYED OVER FEEDING HIS VERY SPECIAL GIRLDOG "ROXY". A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO OUR EXTENDED FAMILY, SHAWNA, CARSON, EMME, & LILLI, KENNY & FAMILY, COLTON, RENEE & FAMILY FOR ALL THE LOVE, EXTRA SUPPORT AND CARING YOU ALL HAD FOR OUR "UNCLE RUDY". HE LOVED AND APPRECIATED EACH ONE OF YOU. MANY THANKS TO SHAKENNA RUDY'S LONGTIME HOME NURSE AND TO BARKY AT WRIGHT FUNERAL HOME FOR ALL YOU DID FOR HIM OUR FAMILY DURING THIS TIME AND THROUGHOUT THE YEARS. A GRAVESIDE GATHERING OF FAMILY AND FRIENDS WILL BE AT THE BLACKCREEK BAPTIST CHURCH CEMETERY IN FRANKLIN, VA WHERE RUDY WILL BE LAID TO REST NEXT TO HIS BELOVED MOTHER, FATHER AND SIBLINGS. ### Vital Statistics Summary | Name | Rudolph Thomas Rudy Raiford | |---------|----------------------------------| | Age | 94 | | Birth | 6 April 1929; Norfolk VA | | Death | 5 September 2023; Chesapeake, VA | ### Table of Relationships | Name | Relationship | Residence | |-------------------------------|----------------------|-------------------------------| | Rudolph Thomas Rudy Raiford | Decedent | Chesapeake, VA | | Thomas R Raiford | Predeceased Parent | -- | | Mary E Betty Galtress Raiford | Predeceased Parent | -- | | Mildred E Raiford Cornet | Predeceased Sibling | -- | | Harold T Raiford | Predeceased Sibling | -- | | Roland T Raiford | Predeceased Sibling | -- | | Francis T Raiford | Predeceased Sibling | -- | | Randolph T Raiford | Predeceased Sibling | -- | | Deb | Niece | Chesapeake, VA | | Shawna | Extended Family | Unknown | | Carson | Extended Family | Unknown | | Emme | Extended Family | Unknown | | Lilli | Extended Family | Unknown | | Kenny & Family | Extended Family | Unknown | | Colton | Extended Family | Unknown | | Renee & Family | Extended Family | Unknown | | Shakenna | Longtime Home Nurse | Unknown | | Barky | Funeral Home Contact | Unknown | ### Other Relevant Information 1. Attended Helen Keller National Center for Deafblind in New York City, NY. 2. Attended Virginia School for Deafblind Young in Staunton, Virginia. 3. Worked for VA Industries for the Deafblind Center in Charlottesville, Virginia. 4. Retired after 30 years of service. 5. Member of the American Council of the Blind. 6. Member of the VA Workshop for the Blind. 7. Member of the VA Department of the Blind & Vision Impaired. 8. Member of the Xavier Society for the Blind, New York City, NY. 9. Born deaf and lost complete eyesight in young adult life. 10. Enjoyed working with tools and could repair or patch almost anything. 11. In his youth, liked to ride his motorcycle, go to the beach, and go fishing. 12. Had a passion for collecting trains, assembling them, and keeping them running. 13. Enjoyed going to train shows to collect more trains. 14. Liked bowling and fishing on his days off. 15. Lived on his family farm in Sedley, VA for many years. 16. Moved to Chesapeake, VA and lived with his niece's family for over 20 years. 17. Enjoyed working in flower beds. 18. Had a special dog named "Roxy" that he enjoyed feeding.