Mary L. Rayford, daughter of Everlean Thomas Sheridan and Sherman Green, was born June 16, 1936, in Tylertown, Miss. On May 10, 1952, she married Leroy “Willie” Rayford Sr. and they were married for 53 years. She was a devoted member of the Greater Center Baptist Church in Angie. Mary worked with Pioneer Aerospace Corporation for over 30 years.

She leaves to cherish her loving memory: her children, Dorothy Ree Wheeler of Detroit, Mich., Clifford Rayford of Angie, Clyde Rayford of Angie, Virgil (Donice) Rayford Sr. and Lorenza (Demetris) Rayford of Franklinton; although grandchildren, she raised Jabbar (Priscilla) Rayford of Angie, Angela Rayford of Columbia, Miss., and Statuequa Franklin of Miami, Fla. as her own; her siblings, Damon Sheridan of California, Christine Watson of California, Julani Sheridan of Louisiana; 16 grandchildren; 41 great grandchildren; five great-great grandchildren; her goddaughter Loretta Pittman; and a host of aunts (eldest aunt, Darlene Swinney), uncles (eldest uncle, Marcus Green), nieces, nephews, cousins, and many friends and neighbors.

Mary L. Rayford was preceded in death by her husband, Leroy Rayford Sr.; her mother, Everlean Sheridan; her father, Sherman Green; her sisters, Elaine Sheridan Roberts and Wylet Sheridan; and children, Leroy Rayford Jr. and Gloria J. Franklin.

Visitation will be on Friday, July 22, from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Cook-Richmond Funeral Home in Bogalusa.

Viewing will be Saturday, July 23, from 11 a.m. to noon, followed by the funeral service at Greater Center Baptist Church in Angie, with the Rev. Sydney Jones officiating. Interment will be in Live Oak Cemetery.

Visit and sign the guest register online at cookrichmondfuneralhome.com.