Claude Raymond "Ray" Rayfield, age 90, of Northport, went to be with the Lord on Friday, June 4, 2021. He was at Hospice of West Alabama. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at Heritage Chapel Funeral Home, a Dignity Memorial Provider, on Wednesday, June 9, 2021 at 2:00pm, with Dr. Hayse Boyd officiating. Visitation will be from 1:00pm - 2:00pm prior to services. Burial will take place at Tuscaloosa Memorial Park following services.
Ray was preceded in death by his daughter, Ellen Rayfield Hardy, his parents, Leslie and Vernonn Rayfield, brother, David Rayfield, and two sisters, Marjorie Davidson and Mary Helen Morris.
Survivors include his wife of 66 years, Jean Brewer Rayfield, grand-daughter, Katelyn Hardy, son-in-law, Donald Hardy, brother-in-law, Ed Davidson, and nieces and nephews.
A loving husband, father, and grandfather, Ray was born and grew up in Mobile, Alabama. He served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean Conflict. He moved his family to Tuscaloosa in 1967 to attend the University of Alabama where he completed B.F.A. and M.A. degrees. He took a job with the Geological Survey of Alabama/State Oil and Gas Board on the University Campus, from which he retired after 26 years of service.
Ray was a member of First Baptist Church and Dr. Hayse Boyd's Good Samaritan Sunday School Class. For several years, he enjoyed serving as a volunteer instructor of drawing at Shelton State Community College in the Lifelong Learning Program for seniors. He also served as a volunteer drawing instructor at Focus, Calvary Baptist Church, and First Baptist Church. For many years, he sang with the Heartland Harmonizers (now the Crimson Pride) - Tuscaloosa's Barbershop Chorus.
He was very articulate and loved telling stories. He was also an amazing artist. He was always quick to praise God for ordering the steps of his life. He and Jean were pillars of faith to many when they lost their only child in 2017. He often read Sarah Young's "Jesus Calling" books for comfort. One Bible verse that gave him great comfort was Matthew 11:28 - 30- "Come to Me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light."
Pallbearers will be Donald Hardy, Steve Jay, Chuck Jay, Garrett Sellers, Michael Druhan and Mason Druhan.
Honorary Pallbearers will be members of the Good Samaritan Sunday School Class and Retirees of the Geological Survey/State Oil and Gas Board.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to First Baptist Church or to the Jean and Raymond Rayfield Endowed Scholarship at the University of Alabama School of Social Work, P.O. Box 870314, University, Alabama 35487.
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