Mr. Raymond Willie Lee Ashford

Mr. Raymond Willie Lee Ashford entered his earthly life on October 16, 1944. The son of the Late Ms. Lula Mae Henderson, whose life journey was impeded at his sixth month of infancy, He was reared in the nuturing and loving home of his maternal grandparents, the Late Abe and Lizzie Hightower.

Known to many friends and family as “Willie,” he was educated in the public schools of Richland County SC. Having graduated from C. A. Johnson High School, he entered the Armed Forces Branch of the United States Air Force. Upon discharge from the military, Willie obtained employment at the Columbia Lumber Company. His career choice, however, was firefighter with the Columbia Fire Department. That allowed him to increase and foster his hard work ethics by obtaining employment with Sears, simultaneously working both. His dedication to these ventures afforded him the opportunity to rise through the ranks with the achievement of Captain at the CFD and Electronic Sales Associate in the latter. Retirement from both occupations with twenty- seven and thirty-five years respectively was his reward for laboring and enduring all obstacles that crossed his path.

Mattie McCants, whom he affectionally called “Monk” became his bride in 1966. With only four months shy of celebrating what would have been their fifty-sixth wedding anniversary, this love endured to the end between these high school sweethearts. His “Monk” and her “Bossman.” To their union, their loving daughter and only child, Constance Annette was born. He is survived by his partner in holy matrimony, Mrs. Mattie McCants Ashford. Daughter, Constance Annette (Gilbert) Rodriguez, College Park, Ga. are also among his loving family. This doting grandfather will be missed by granddaughter, Chelsea (William) Walker, Stone Mountain, Ga., along with five grandsons; Orion, (Noel) Rodgers, Sr., Roswell, Ga., Pierce (Ari) Rodriguez, Roswell, Jabin, Dessen and Nolin Rodriguez of College Park. Great-granddaughters, Little Misses Abigail Grace Walker and Ava Athena Rodgers, grandsons, Masters Orion Travante, Jr., Arion Taveon Rodgers and William Bryson Walker of Georgia. Willie’s mother-in-law, Mrs. Bertha McCants of Winnsboro, SC., has voiced her profound love for him and profound sadness of his absence from this earthly vessel. Cousins, Nephews and Nieces encompass the family dynamics that will join in experiencing with heavy hearts his absence from this earth. All delight in the fact that he is at “REST.”

Preceding him in the passage to everlasting peace were his maternal grandparents, mother, and two brothers, Jesse and Robert “R. L.” Glover.

“ I have fought a good fight. I have finished my course. I have kept the faith.” II Timothy 4:7 To Almighty God Be the Glory 

Funeral services for Mr. Raymond Willie Lee Ashford of Winnsboro SC will be 12 noon Wednesday January 26, 2022 @ Russell-McCutchen Funeral Home, 324 S. Vanderhorst St. Winnsboro SC 29180 with burial and military honors @ 2  pm @ Fort Jackson National Cemetery. Visitation will be Tuesday January 25, 2022 from 2 pm to 6 pm @ Russell-McCutchen Funeral Home.

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