On February 22, 2015, at the age 83, Hazel Ruth Hansen Raiford left this earth to join her heavenly father. She was born Hazel Ruth Hansen on December 17, 1931 to Mr. and Mrs. Edward Wilmer Hansen (Mary Alice Lindquist) in Crichton, Mobile, Alabama. She was their only daughter and the first of four children. During her childhood, she was referred to as Hazel Ruth. She was most proud of the fact that she was the valedictorian of her school and the reason they won the debate team championship with her debate.
She met and married a military man (Hunter West Raiford III) who served as a Marine in World War II. Mrs. Ruth Raiford gave birth to seven children. She had seven children by the age of 31 and—was left to raise them singlehandedly.
Mrs. Raiford was known about the Beaches (Jacksonville, Neptune and Atlantic), as a hard-working, well respected woman who was truly loved by her family, her friends, and her co-workers, many of whom endearingly referred to her as “Mother Raiford”.
While working and raising her seven children, she returned to school and obtained her degree from Jones College. Mrs. Raiford worked in all three of the Beaches of Jacksonville. She worked at the Atlantic Beach Hotel until it closed. She also worked at the Holiday and Ramada Inn’s within Jacksonville Beach, and at the Days Inn in Neptune Beach where she retired at age 70.
Mrs. Raiford loved all sports, and had hobbies where she could create things (ceramics, needlepoint and crocheting). She spent hours-on-end creating items for other peoples pleasure and enjoyment. She enjoyed making colorful crocheted blankets for each of her new born grandbabies as well as afghans and bedspreads for her family. She also enjoyed making special needlepoint and ceramic pieces for her family.
Mrs. Raiford was a selfless person who was always there for others. She was ever present for anyone who needed someone to listen. During her courageous battle with cancer she continued to help others who were battling cancer with words of encouragement and compassion. Her gentle and compassionate demeanor and the sweet lilt in her voice were comforting to all who knew her.
During her first year of retirement she developed a blood clot in her heart and lungs that most people do not survive. Deemed the ‘miracle woman’ by the hospital staff, she returned home to enjoy her retirement years. Mrs. Raiford said repeatedly that the best years of her life came after retirement. She loved and adored all of her children and grandchildren and had fabulous stories to share about each and every one.
She was blessed to have her grandson, Dorman Pantfoeder, Jr., come to live with her. While living and caring for his grandmother, Dorman married Karen Sumrall. Mrs. Raiford said she was overjoyed with happiness with the arrival of her great granddaughter, Bella Donna Pantfoeder and elated that they all agreed to live as one ‘generational’ family. Bella referred to Ruth Raiford as ‘Cammommie’ and they shared a special relationship for six years before her brother, Lockelan Vanis Pantfoeder arrived. Mrs. Raiford enjoyed having another child in the house and proceeded to build a special relationship with Lockelan as well by actively being present in his life.
Mrs. Raiford said that she would not have lived as long as she did if it had not been for her daughter Donna. Donna and Charlie Marks opened their home to her—and cared for her during her tumultuous illness from urothelial cell cancer. Everyone was grateful. All of her children showed up at different times to be with her as she fought for her life and she was thankful for any time that she could spend with them.
Mrs. Raiford was preceded in death by her parents (Mr. and Mrs. Hansen), her husband (Hunter W. Raiford, III), her son (Carlson Quantrill Raiford), and her brothers (James Warren [Sugarman], Howard Wilmer [Buddy], and Donald Raymond [Donnie] Hansen).
She is survived by six of her seven children: Valerie Gaile Raiford Greenway Huston Vandergriff; Deborah Agatha Raiford Huston Johnson (Derek Eastman Johnson, M.D.); Hunter West Warren Raiford (Pamela Susan Halbisen); Marion Yolande Crichton Raiford Frederick; Donna Ruthiram Raiford Marks (Charles Jay Marks); and Bruce Briggs Raiford (Jacqueline Lorraine Stewart). She is also survived by 18 grandchildren: Richard Bruce Greenway; Christina; Hunter West Warren Raiford Junior (Tiffiny Leahy); Angela Lauren Huston Marshall; Danielle Nicole Frederick; Dorman Boyce Pantfoeder (Karen Sumrall); John Ryan Frederick (Captain); James Eldon Huston, Junior (Dooney); Amy Melissa Pantfoeder O’ Grady (Patrick Michael); Cristin Ann Marks Crenshaw (Captain Bradley); Matthew Eastman Johnson; Bruce Christopher Raiford; Jenni Lauren Frederick Sapp (Randy); Kaytlyn Kristi Frederick; Brittany Noelle Frederick; Logan Alexander Marks; Alexis Elaine Raiford and Madison Ruth Brookins. She also had 16 great grandchildren: Renee; Calvin Scott Whatley; Harrison Landon Whatley; Wesley Kaydan Smith; Bella Donna Pantfoeder; Aiden Cane Raiford; Liam Quinn McDonald; Conor Padraig O’Grady; Lockelan Vanis Pantfoeder; Landon Jackson Crenshaw; Devlin Michael O’Grady; Jase Meyer Raiford; Damian Cole Raiford; Alexa Lane Howard; Isaiah Vincent Hagen and Lyla Ramsey Raiford.
A Celebration of Life service will be held for Hazel Ruth Hansen Raiford on Thursday, February 26th at 11:00 at Beaches Chapel Church, 610 Florida Blvd., Neptune Beach, FL.
Mrs. Raiford developed urothelial cell cancer. In lieu of flowers, Mrs. Raiford would like for people to make donations to the Jax Fire Dragons; a non-profit cancer awareness organization located in her home town of Jacksonville, Florida. P.O. Box 50994, Jacksonville, Florida 32240. Dragon boats are water vessels that are filled with volunteer cancer survivors and volunteer cancer supporters who paddle their boats in an effort to raise cancer awareness and provide a vessel for camaraderie amongst the survivors.
Read more: The Beaches Leader | Ponte Vedra Leader - HAZEL RUTH HANSEN RAIFORD