Birth Date: 12/11/1956
Deceased Date: 05/02/2021
“For everything, there is a season and a time to every purpose under the heaven, a time to be born, and a time to die, a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted.” – Ecclesiastes 3:1-2
Rayford Cole “Ray,” was born on December 11, 1956, in Harnett County, North Carolina, to the late Willis and Bettie Cole. He departed this life on May 2nd 2021, at the Hospice House in Raleigh, North Carolina. Rayford attended Forest Hill High School and South Johnston High School in Four Oaks, North Carolina. He was employed at Bright Leaf Tobacco Factory in Smithfield. He later moved to Raleigh where he was employed as a line leader for Smith and Coal Company until his health failed. Rayford loved his family and devoted his life to helping his sister Pauline raise her four children: Kendrick, Derrick, Cedric, and Stephanie Sneed.
Rayford was a gracious man of few words. In his past time, he enjoyed playing spades, fishing, and watching Westerns such as Gun Smoke, Bonanza, and rifleman, to name a few.
At an early age, Rayford joined Hickory Grove Disciple Church in Four Oaks, North Carolina. Years later he became a member of Peace Chapel Deliverance Church in Garner, NC under the leadership of Bishop Lizzie Anderson. While there he served as an usher.
He is preceded in death by his siblings, Willis Cole Jr., Lena Mae Cole, Joane Cole Taylor, Nathaniel Cole, George Cole, Dennis Cole, and Pauline Sneed. He leaves to cherish in his memories: his sister Reverend Lina Oates of Garner, NC, Donna Robinson (Dwight) of Bremerton, WA, Reverend Bonita Randolph of Garner, NC, and one sister-in-law, Barbara Cole of Smithfield, NC. Five nieces, Toshiba, Shanda, Tijuana, Latrice, and Stephanie; four nephews, Kendrick, Derrick, Dennis Jr., and Cedrick; eight great-nieces, Samone, Angelique, Destyni, Faith, Lashae, Makayla, Payton, and Mackenzie; four great-nephews, Deonte, Jonathan, Maverick, Ajamu, and a host of cousins and friends.
