Robert Mitchell Rayford

Robert Mitchell Rayford, 75, was born November 6, 1942, to James and Teresa Rayford.  He was blessed to be raised by Pauline Elsey (Momma) in Pittsburg, CA. He attended Pittsburg High School before enlisting in the Army and then the Marine Corp. He later became a welder for the USS Posco Steel Mill, then working for the State of California as a master maintenance technician for the states Department of Water Resources before retiring.  Robert moved to DeRidder in 1999 where he resided with his wife Louise Henry.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Pauline Elsey; sister Arnetta Sibley and his youngest daughter Shawna Bernice Rayford. He is survived by his children, Robert Aaron Rayford, Rayshawn Rayford, Whitney Rayford, Juvante Rayford, Michael McCoy, Jerome Henry, Simon Milton, Faith Garner, Elina Webb, Lenay Henry, Sheri Moore, Yvette Jackson; his grandchildren, Khissha Cottier Rayford, Alysha Rayford, Taj Olmedo, Aryn Rayford, Charlie Rayford, Zion Rayford, Jerome Henry, Jr., Elliot Ransburg; and his great grandchildren, Lianna Rayford, Jada Olmedo, Aaliyah Lewis, Mia Olmedo, Kryn Lewis and a host of nieces, nephews, neighbors, family and friends.

In his younger days you could find him, on any given Saturday morning, tugging on a fishing pole in the California Delta or hunting pheasant. After he retired he enjoyed playing solitaire, surfing the web and watching western cowboy movies, all while drinking a bottomless cup of coffee.  Pops, Dad, Mike, Papa GG, and Mr. Robert will truly be missed by all of those who knew him.

Visitation and funeral will be held on Tuesday, October 2, 2018. Visitation will be from 9:00 to 11:00 AM  with the funeral service to follow at 11:00 AM, at Myers Colonial Funeral Home in DeRidder, LA. Brother Bruce Hudson will officiate the service.  Burial will be at the VA Cemetery in Leesville, LA.