Marie Simms Raiford

Sedley- Marie Simms Raiford, 93, widow of V. Lee Raiford, passed away March 22, 2013 with her daughter by her side. She was born in Southampton County on August 5, 1919 to the late Edward Judson and Estelle Drewry Simms. She was a retiree of Roses Department Store. She was a Methodist. She was a wonderful wife, mother, and grandmother who cared for many of her siblings and babysat her grandchildren. Cooking, sewing, gardening, crocheting and being with her family was her joy. She was predeceased by three brothers, Garland, Linwood and Marvin Simms and two sisters, Bertha Stephenson and Frances Overby, and her son, Samuel Raiford.
Survivors include her daughter, Mary Lou Bryant and her husband, David, and son, Edward L. "Peter" Raiford and wife, Larue; daughter-in-law, Kay F. Raiford; five grandchildren, Ricky Darden, Robin Hewett, Heather Halstead (Paul), Jill Bearse (Aris), J.R. Raiford (Joan), ; great-grandchildren, Justin Raiford, Melisa Hewett, Amanda Hewett, Lucy Halstead, Caroline Bearse and Sam Bearse; two great-great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. A special thank you to the doctors and nurses of Sentara Obici and to Dr. Ponder, nurses and Hospice Care at the East Pavilion. The family will receive friends Tuesday from 6 to 8 p.m. at Wright Funeral Home. Funeral services will be private. Memorials may be made to Grace Memorial United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 73, Sedley, VA 23878.