Shirley W Raiford

After a courageous, hard-fought five year battle with cancer, our beloved mother, wife, grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin, friend, and mentor, 75, passed away while surrounded by her loving family on April 25, 2016 in Murray, Utah. Shirley was born to Thomas and Alice Wiseman on February 12, 1941 in Salt Lake City, Utah. She was the youngest of three children.

After graduating from Granite High School, she earned her Bachelor’s of Science and Masters Degrees in Business Education from Brigham Young University. During that time, she also served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to the Southwest British mission.

Shirley married her adoring husband, Argyle Raiford, in the Salt Lake Temple on January 10, 1969, and they were blessed with three children, RaChelle, Lori, and David. She was a wonderful teacher and mentor and loved her students; a business teacher for several schools, including Ricks College, Stevens Heneger College, LDS Business College, Brigham Young University, Olympus High School, Taylorsville High School and Kearns Jr. High. Throughout her 39 year career, she touched the lives of many and created lifelong friendships with both students and colleagues.

She had a love and a passion for many things throughout her life. She was a dedicated member of the LDS Church, loved her Savior and the Gospel, and faithfully served in many capacities. Shirley had a thirst for knowledge and never stopped learning or teaching by example. She was an avid BYU football fan, holding season tickets for many years. Her two greatest passions were her family and serving, and the two went hand in hand. Hours upon hours were spent sewing and making things for her children and grandchildren. She loved attending her grandkids games and performances. She was a wonderful cook and enjoyed making dinners for her children and their families each Sunday. She always had treats or cookies in the cookie jar ready for her grandkids. Christmas was a favorite holiday and she loved to bake, with her family, all the treats that had become a tradition over the years. Always an anticipated event, she held an annual Christmas party and sleepover for the grandkids.

Ever the teacher, Shirley taught priceless life lessons through her compassion for others, unending service to so many, and constant sacrifice for her family. As she fought through her cancer with grace, perseverance, strength, faith, and courage, she was an inspiration to all. She was dearly loved by anyone who knew her.

Shirley is survived by her children RaChelle (Michael) Bo, Lori (Erico) Bisquera, and David (Denza) Raiford, and 10 grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, brothers Donald and Robert, and grandson, Brandon.