Miss Bess Rayford

A memorial service for Bessie Lou “Bess” Rayford, 96, a lifelong resident of Henderson will be held at the First United Methodist Church of Henderson Thursday, February 19, 2015 at 1 p.m. with Reverend David Luckert and Reverend Debbie Tipps officiating under the direction of Crawford-A. Crim Funeral Home. Bess was born December 13, 1918 in Henderson to her parents Josie Beall and John Julian Rayford. Her grandparents were Mr. and Mrs. Egbert Benson Alford and Mr. and Mrs. Charles Gordon Rayford, and dear uncles and aunts John Rogers and Susan Landon Alford, Bessie Lou Alford Clower, Jess Burks and Lucille Rayford Alford, Egbert Benson and Maude Elizabeth Alford and Richard Overton and Charline Beatrice Alford. She passed away peacefully Monday, February 16, 2015. She was predeceased by her parents, her brothers John Julian “Jack” Rayford and Jess David “Jady” Rayford, and her first cousins Cara Jean Clower Morgan, Mary Elizabeth Alford Coleman, Mariwynn Alford Watson, John Rogers Alford, Jr., Ella Langdon Alford, and Egbert Landon Alford. Bess will be deeply missed by her surviving first cousins, Jess Burks Alford, Jr., Jo Ann Alford Banister, and Louella Beatrice Alford Wilks and many successive generations of cousins. Bess graduated from Henderson High School in 1935. She continued her higher education at the Randolph-Macon College, Hockaday Junior College, and proudly graduated from the University of Texas at Austin in 1939 where she was a member of the Pi Beta Phi sorority. She enjoyed a long association with Kilgore College as the Assistant Registrar, retiring after 30 years of service. Family and friends were the heart of Bess’s life. She spent many happy summers in her youth as a camper and counselor at Camp Waldemar in Hunt, Texas where she made many enduring friendships. She was a devoted member to the Pals Sunday School Class and loved the fellowship of the First United Methodist Church of Henderson, where she was a lifelong member. Bess Rayford led a generous life dedicated to her extended family, friends, and community. Her legacy with the Bess L. Rayford Foundation she founded in 1998 will benefit the future of Rusk County for generations to come. The family wishes to thank Opal “Sally” Barron Sparkman and her family for their loving care and devotion. Memorials may be made to the First United Methodist Church, 204 North Marshall, Henderson, Texas 75652. Words of comfort may be shared with the family at www.crawfordacrim.com.

Miss Bess Rayford

December 13, 1918 - February 16, 2015