Ray Benjamin "Ben" Rayford

Ray Benjamin "Ben" Rayford

SNOW HILL - Ray Benjamin "Ben" Rayford, 93, met his Lord and Savior on Wednesday, July 26, 2017, surrounded by the love of his family. He was born August 18, 1923, the son of Hubert and Blanche Ingram Rayford. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by the love of his life for 53 years, Dorothy Brown Rayford; 3 brothers, and 1 sister.

Surviving are his daughters, Jane Rayford Beaman and husband, Gerald of Snow Hill, and Susan Rayford Griffis, and husband, Danny of Farmville. He was "Boompa" to his grandchildren, Dionne Seale and husband, Roger, Daniel Griffis and wife, Tiffany, Adam Beaman and wife, Casey, Amy Perry and husband, Chris, and Wes Beaman and wife, Dee; great-grandchildren Lauren and Megan Seale, Addison and Broughton Beaman, Hayden and Emily Perry, Bickett, Foster and Payne Griffis, Tanner and Tison Beaman.

Born in Erwin, North Carolina, Ben resided in Dunn and Newton Grove before coming to Snow Hill. He was a First Sergeant in the US Army during World War II and attended NC State University. Following college, he moved to Snow Hill where he was manager of the Greenville Production Credit Association and later the manager of Home Federal Savings and Loan in Snow Hill; he served in various positions with that firm until his retirement.

Ben served the Town of Snow Hill as Town Clerk for 22 years, Town Commissioner for 16 years, and Mayor for 10 years; totaling 48 years of civic service to the Town of Snow Hill and its citizens. He was a member of the Greene County Development Commission and the Snow Hill Rotary Club, where he was a Paul Harris Fellow. As Scout Master of Troop 74, he mentored a number of Eagle Scouts, and also received the James E. Wese Fellow Award. A devout member of Snow Hill Presbyterian Church, he had served as Sunday School teacher, pianist, Deacon, Elder, Clerk of the Session, and Lay Pastor on many occasions. He volunteered at Eastern Correctional Institution, where he taught business classes and played the piano for worship services. Until recently, he also served on the Greene County Housing Authority, and as an instructor and night supervisor at Lenoir Community College Snow Hill Campus for many years. He was recognized for his faithful Christian service to the Greene County Interfaith with the Lydia Award, and was a charter member of their Board of Directors. The Greene County Chamber of Commerce honored him with the Hero Award for his long-time dedication and community service to the town and county.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held 2 PM Sunday, July 30th, at the Farmville Presbyterian Church, 4138 Grimmersburg Street, Farmville. The family will receive friends and visitors following in the Family Life Center and other times at the residence, 409 Greenridge Road, Snow Hill.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Snow Hill Presbyterian Church, Ben Rayford Scholarship Fund, c/o Bobby Glossip, 201 Hines Street, Snow Hill, NC 28580, or to Greene County Interfaith, PO Box 1041, Snow Hill, NC 28580.

The family would like to thank Pruitt Home Health and Hospice of Farmville for their compassionate and dedicated service; with special loving thanks to Patricia, Val, Jean-Marie, and Julie, who lovingly cared for him in the past few months.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.taylor-tyson.com

As published in The Daily Reflector