Rayford Redus Ray Higdon, age 85, of Cottondale, Ala., passed away on November 3, 2018, at home. Services will be 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, November 7, 2018, at Heritage Chapel Funeral Home with Dr. Herbert Thomas and Rev. John Hatfield officiating, special words and music provided by Rev. Tom Dennis. Heritage Chapel Funeral Home & Cremations, a Dignity Memorial Provider, is directing. Visitation will be one hour prior to services at Heritage Chapel Funeral Home. Burial will be in Millport, Ala. at 3:00 p.m. at Mt. Olive Baptist Church.
Rayford was preceded in death by his wife, Virginia Wynell; daughter, Joyce Marie; his parents, John Darlin and Onnie Higdon; and twelve brothers and sisters. Rayford was the baby of 13 and the last of his generation.
Survivors of the immediate family include his son, Kenneth and his wife, Lynne Higdon of Foley, Ala.; son, John Higdon; daughter, Pamela and her husband, Jon Jones and daughter, Gina and her husband. Eric Lewis, all of Cottondale, Ala.; three grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
Born in Millport, Ala. on November 9, 1932, Rayford grew up and the family as sharecroppers and loggers. He attended Millport High School. He served in the Army and after he was discharged, he attended vocational school where he learned the repair of televisions and radios. He worked and retired from the VA Hospital as the head cook after 26 years.
Rayford always had big gardens and we grew up shucking corn, shelling peas and butter beans and picking okra, he was always giving away bushels of food to others. He loved to travel and he enjoyed fishing although it seemed like everyone he took fishing caught more than he did. Our Dad enjoyed a good barbecue sandwich and was willing to travel a good distance to eat one. His favorite dessert was banana pudding with the meringue on top.
He had to listen to the Gaither Gospel Hour on Saturday's at 4 p.m. and his favorite past time was the CB Radio. TV Man had the tallest tower and strongest signal around and was thrilled to organize a CB Rally, attended by CBer's from all over, to provide CB Radios and antennas to shut-in's. He raised people on the radio as far away as Mexico but nothing gave him more pleasure than to get up in the mornings and chat with Yard Dog, Little Devil, .38, Mustang and Irishman.
Everyone that knew him, loved him and remarked on what a sweet man he was. We feel like God kept him around to serve as a model of graciousness through trials.
The Higdon Family would like to thank Dr. John Crew, his beloved Home Healthcare workers, Paula Bishop and Ilene Vega.
We take comfort in knowing that he is now with God.
Condolences may be offered at www.HeritageChapelTuscaloosa.com.
