Michael €œMike” Robert Raiford

Michael “Mike” Robert Raiford, age 70, of Ponchatoula, Louisiana, passed away peacefully on Monday, November 16, 2020 at home with his family by his side. He was born on Friday, January 6, 1950, in Ponchatoula, Louisiana, to Alonzo Raiford and Frances Verneuil Raiford. Mike enjoyed life and loved camping, farming, woodworking, tractors (especially riding his Kubota), playing cards, and coaching kids in all sports, but he especially loved spending time with his family.  

Mike is survived by his loving wife of 48 years, Esther Schilling Raiford, his sons, Jason Raiford and his wife Tiffany, Jeffrey Raiford and his wife Holly and Justin Raiford and his wife Amy, his grandchildren, Taylor, Jake, Ryan, Kamryn, Gabi, Katie, Lauryn, Jaise, Mya and Bexley Kole, also numerous brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews and close friends. 

Mike was preceded in death by his parents, Alonzo Raiford and Frances Verneuil Raiford, his brother, Joseph Raiford, father in law, Frederic Schilling and his mother in law, Marie Schilling. 

A Visitation for Mike will be held on Thursday, November 19, 2020 from 6:00 pm until 9:00 pm and continue on Friday, November 20, 2020 from 9:30 am until 10:30 am at Harry McKneely & Son Funeral Home in Ponchatoula. A Funeral Mass Celebrating Mike's Life will follow visitation at 11:00 am at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Ponchatoula. Interment will follow at Frederic Schilling Family Cemetery in Ponchatoula. 

Face masks are now mandatory to attend any visitation or service at the funeral home. Thank you for your cooperation. 

Mike's guest book can be viewed on www.harrymckneely.com.

 

 

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