Ioda Marcia Rayford, 87, of Galesburg, Illinois, died at 8:50 a.m. Friday, April 2, 2021, in Serenity of Lake Storey Nursing Home.
She was born October 22, 1933, in Galesburg, the daughter of James F. and Ioda (Strowthers) Milburn. She married Abraham Rayford Jr. on December 20, 1966, in Indianapolis, Indiana.
She is survived by a niece, Stephanie K. (Kelley) Clark, 2 great nieces and 2 great nephews, including Yvonna-Kelley (Michael) Shefchek of Colorado. Yvonna lived with Ioda for some time. Also, many great-great nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; sister, Tonnia Kaye Milburn; and stepfather, Pearl E. Kelley.
Ioda graduated from the Indianapolis School of Practical Nursing in 1969 and from Carl Sandburg College in Galesburg in 1988. She had worked at Methodist Hospital and RCA in Indianapolis and at Gale Products in Galesburg. She was a devout Catholic, belonging to Corpus Christi Catholic Church. She served as a lector, was a CCD teacher, a member of the church choir, a member of the Altar and Rosary Society, and the St. Vincent de Paul Society. Ioda was the former secretary of the local NAACP chapter. She enjoyed reading, bowling, crocheting, and fishing.
Visitation will be at 10 a.m. Friday, April 16, 2021, at Corpus Christi Catholic Church. Funeral Mass will follow at 11 a.m. Burial will be in East Linwood Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Corpus Christi Catholic Church. Hinchliff-Pearson-West Funeral Directors and Cremation Services Galesburg Chapel is honored to serve the family. Online condolences may be made at www.h-p-w.com
