(^elebratina the o C iie

Mrs,

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Raiforcf Jennings

1919

2004

, Thursdayy (December 23 2004
1:00p.m.
BCand `Baptist Church
Johnston, South Carotina

`ReverendJimmy Cue ~ Pastor ~

ALA4A RA1FORD JENNINCjS was born to the late
Joseph Raiford and Laura Williams Raiford on April 29, 1919, in Edgefield County, South Carolina. She departed this life December 18, 2004, and was the last surviving member of the Raiford Family.
A t an early age, she accepted Christ as her personal Savior and was baptized at the Bland Baptist Church, Edgefield, South Carolina. She was editcated at the Edgefield County Public Schools. Alma was a gifted artist who painted decorative pictures and murals. Her creative talents included sewing, crocheting, tatting and upholstering.
She was joined in Holy Matrimony to her beloved Jerold Jennings on August 16, 1946, in Ridge Spring, South Carolina. The next day the couple journeyed to Hempstead, New York for their honeymoon and remained there until 1975. She was a member of South Hempstead Baptist Church under the pastorage of Reverend W.C. Evans and sang on the Senior Choir.
For several years she worked for the West Hempstead Board of Education until 1962, when she became a full time homemaker. Alma was a professional seamstress whose greatest achievement was sewing over thirty gowns for the Faith Baptist Church Choir. Alma loved her work which was always in demand. In the 1970's, she welcomed foster children, Henry and Isaac Hightower into her home.
In 1975, she moved to Titusville, Florida and became a member of the Bethlehem Baptist Church, sang on the Senior Choir and worked for the Brevard County School System. In 1995, she and her husband moved back to Graniteville, South Carolina and renewed their membership at Bland Baptist Church.
She was a dedicated homemaker with superlative culinary skills in the tradition of the southern style that included canning and preserving foods. She was the oral historian of her ancestors and enjoyed sharing stories of their lives.
She lived a devoted Christian life and served the Lord with gladness. Alma cherished her beloved husband and a few weeks after his death, she has joined him in Glory.
Alma Raiford Jennings leaves to cherish her memory: her loving daugh ter, Valerie (Bruce Bowen) Carpenter, Baltimore, MD, granddaughter, Sidney Carpenter, Norfolk, VA; step-granddaughter, Natasha Carpenter, Buffalo, NY; sisters-in-law, Ann Raiford, Planfield, NJ, Ruth Raiford, Hempstead, NY, Mary Jennings, Graniteville, SC , Ora Belle Jennings, Graniteville, SC and Viola (Paul) Williams, North Augusta, SC; brothers-in-law, Willie (Unie) Jennings, Hephzibah, GA , Albert (Jean) Jennings, Graniteville, SC and Elder Gradie Brown, Baltimore, MD; devoted nieces, Delores Colden, Pauline Davis and Kiesha Smiley; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

\e O rder of Service
Dr. David Abney ~ Presiding

P relude........................................................................ Soft Music

Processional.......................................................... Final Farewell

Selection............................................................................... Choir "Jesus Keep Me Near The Cross"

Scriptures................................................Old & New Testaments

Prayer of Comfort.......................................... Minister Annie Mae Butler

Reflections (Two Minutes, Please) Family and Friends

Acknowledgements & Resolutions ........................................................ Church Clerk

Obituary..................................................................Read Silently Soft Music

Selection............................................................................... Choir "Amazing Grace"

Eulogy......................................................... Reverend Jimmy Cue

Recessional.......................................................................... Choir

Interment

Bland Baptist Church Cemetery

hPaCCCearers
Family & Friends
hFCower B e a re rs
Ushers
)
"To `Mother With Love"
The deepest hurt inside the heart, is the loss of a dear mother.
Just because you have loved her so, for she is like no other.
You can't explain the pain you feel, that lies within your soul,
so you pray that on this day, she walks God's streets of Gold. A perfect place, where you know,
someone like her would be. Somewhere your loved ones go, and
surely they are free. Sleep now our sweet Mother, we shall all meet you once again.
You are with God today, A sweet and very precious friend.
~ ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ~
The family wishes to acknowledge those who found many ways to express acts of kindness during our loss. The calls, cards, visits, donations and words of comfort will always be remembered. May God bless each of you.
Q.L. B riqhtharp & Sons M ortuary
North Augusta, South Carolina

Laura & Joe Raiford

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