Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

CHESAPEAKE – Rudolph Thomas “Rudy” Raiford, 94 of Sedley passed away peacefully with family at his bedside on Sept. 5, 2023 in Chesapeake, Virginia.

Rudy was born April 6, 1929 in Norfolk, Virginia to Thomas and Mary “Betty” Raiford. He attended Helen Keller National Center for Deafblind in New York City, New York and the Virginia School for Deafblind Young in Staunton, Virginia.

He was predeceased by his parents, Thomas R. Raiford and Mary E. “Betty” Galtress Raiford; sister, Mildred E. Raiford Cornet; brothers Harold T. Raiford, Roland T. Raiford, Francis T. Raiford and Randolph T. Raiford.

Rudy worked for the Virginia Industries for the Deafblind Center in Charlottesville, Virginia were he retired after 30 years of service. He was a member of the American Council of the Blind, the Virginia Workshop for the Blind, the Virginia Department of the Blind & Vision Impaired and the Xavier Society for the Blind, New York City, New York.

When he wasn’t working he was piddling in his shed with his many tools. He enjoyed working with his hands, could repair or patch just about anything. In his youthful days he liked to ride his motorcycle, go to the beach and go fishing with his twin brother “Randy,” his only sister “Mil” and his three big brothers, Harold, Roland and Francis.

Rudy was born deaf and in his young adult life lost complete eyesight, though he had these challenges he overcame them and did not let it stop him from living life to the fullest. He had a passion for collecting trains, he had many that he would assemble, keep them running and enjoyed going to train shows in town to collect even more. He also liked to go bowling and fishing on his days off.

After living many years on his family farm in Sedley, he moved to Chesapeake, where he lived with his niece Deb and her family for over 20 years. He enjoyed being close to his family especially his young nephews, nieces and their friends spending time by the pool enjoying life. He also like working with his hands in the flower beds and so enjoyed over feeding his very special girldog ”Roxy.”

A special thank you to our extended family, Shawna, Carson, Emme and Lilli, Kenny and family, Colton, Renee and family for all the love, extra support and caring you all had for our “Uncle Rudy.” He loved and appreciated each one of you. Many thanks to Shakenna, Rudy’s longtime home nurse and to Barky at Wright Funeral Home for all you did for him our family during this time and throughout the years.

A graveside gathering of family and friends will be at the Blackcreek Baptist Church Cemetery in Franklin, where Rudy will be laid to rest next to his beloved mother, father and siblings.

www.wrightfuneralhome.org