Rayfield Stanford, Sr Obituary (1943 - 2008)

Rayfield Franklin Stanford, Sr., son of the late Harry and Viola Stanford was born November 7, 1943 in Cordova, Maryland. He went home to be with the Lord Friday, June 20, 2008 at the Easton Memorial Hospital. Ray as he was affectionately called was raised up and educated in Talbot County. In 1968 he was drafted into the United States Army, were he served in the Viet Nam War, and received a PURPLE HEART for his heroic services and was honorably discharges in 1971. The Lord blessed him to have his own concrete finishing business which he loved and always looked forward to working. Ray grew up in a Christian home and he always remembered the teaching of his parents about Jesus and kept it as his guide for his life. He was a member of John Wesley United Methodist Church in Carmichael, Maryland and the founder of the "Gospel Wonders" (singing group). Ray enjoyed singing the praises of god and being a "Door Keeper in God's House." Ray married Helen Lena better known as "Helena" on November 16, 1974 at the home of Reverend Frank Robinson Sr. in Easton, Maryland. Ray enjoyed life to its fullest. He loved spending time with his family and with the grandchildren especially. He loved to fish and play checkers, but horse shoes was his specialty. He won many trophies and called himself "The Living Legend." Ray leaves to cherish his memories, his wife of 34 years Helena; four sons, Kevin (Romaine), Raleigh, NC, Troy (Westover, MD), Rayfield, Jr. (Royal Oak, MD and Deondray (Takara), Easton, MD; two step sons, Carlete Ray (Easton, Md), Anthony (Royal Oak, MD); four step daughters, Beverly Brooks, Shielgretta Bailey (both of Easton, MD), Monia Lindsay (Roy), Melissa Wilson (Alfred) both of Raleigh, NC; 23 grandchildren and great grandchildren; four brothers, Lester Diane, Leroy, Lonnie and Otis (Bea) Stanford, all of Wilmington, DE; five sisters, Geraldine (William) Stewart, Grace Holden, Shirley Anderson and Faith Green (all of Wilmington, DE) and Lillian (Paul) Holmes, Sr. (Cordova, MD); a sister, Mary Stanford, who preceded him in death; three brothers in-law, John (Geraldine) Carpenter (Queen Anne's, MD); James Carpenter (Newark, De) and Elwood Carpenter (Carmichael, Md); five sisters in-law, Anna Mae Purnell and Mary Carpenter (both of Berlin, MD); Marjorie Green (Cordova, MD), Dorothy (Floyd) Roy, Easton, MD and Martha Carpenter (Greensboro, MD); a special friend, Walter Chase, Sr. and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Memorial Services will be held on Saturday, June 28, 2008, 12 noon, at John Wesley United Methodist Church 826 Arrington Road Queenstown, MD. The family will receive friends Friday evening 6-8pm at the church. There will be no viewing. Interment will be Monday, June 30, 2008, 12 noon at the Eastern Shore Veteran's Cemetery Hurlock, MD. In lieu of flowers monetary donations can be made to the Stanford Family P.O. Box 104 Royal Oak, MD 21662.