Loyd Merritt Raiford, Jr.

Loyd Raiford, Jr. of Thornton passed away Saturday, November 15, 2008 at Hillcrest Baptist Medical Center in Waco. Visitation will be held at the church prior to the service from 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM. Services will be at 1:00 PM Monday, November 17, 2008 at the First Presbyterian Church of Mexia with Ken Lane officiating. Burial will follow at Old Union Cemetery. Mr. Raiford was born December 23, 1927 in Gonzales, TX to Lloyd Merritt, Sr. and Nona Mae (Jennings) Raiford. He married Dolores (Brown) Raiford in Houston, TX on February 14, 1975 and was a member of the Kosse Masonic Lodge. Loyd was preceded in death by both parents as well as his daughter, Kathleen Watkins and son James Raiford. Survivors include his wife, Dolores Raiford of Thornton, TX; daughters, Nancy Barrow & husband Joe of China, TX and Charlotte Hamilton & husband Bruce of Fannett, TX; sons, David Raiford & wife Molly of Beaumont, TX and Roger Huffman of Houston, TX; grandchildren, Dan Watkins and wife Angie, Joe Ed Barrow and wife Trish, Kathleen Cole, Jonathan Barrow, Stefanie Little and husband Mike, Katie Hamilton-Matthews, Megan Hamilton, David Raiford II, Matt Raiford and Sarah Raiford ; 11 great-grandchildren; sister, Lanell Smith. Pallbearers are Dan Watkins, Joe Ed Barrow, Jonathan Barrow, Will Streety, David Raiford II and Matt Raiford. Honorary pallbearers will be the Kosse Masonic Lodge. In lieu of flowers the family requests all donations be made to the First Presbyterian Church of Mexia at 209 E. Carthage St. Mexia, TX 76667.