Theresa Lynn Rayford was born in New Orleans, LA on April 14th, 1953 and left us on January 9, 2024. She was one of those rare souls you consider yourself lucky to have known and almost feel sorry for those that never had a chance to.

Every child or animal in her path got to experience the never-ending outpouring of love and affection she had, and It was a beautiful thing to see. She didn’t judge others by anything other than how they treated the people around them, and even then, she merely observed and took notice but never complained. When I was asked in a job interview “Who is someone you admire and why?” Without hesitation I said “My Mother, because she never has a negative word to say about anyone.” 

She also had an amazing sense of humor. At one point I was convinced I needed to go audition for Saturday Night Live. Soon I realized just about anyone could keep my mom giggling to the point of tears for hours, because she loved to laugh and she loved to have fun.

She was treated with unspeakable cruelty by the men she loved from almost the time her life began. Hearing some of these stories and seeing how she never let it affect her kindness towards others or her ability to love with fierceness, was truly inspiring to witness. 

Her positive traits are too many to list. And you will very rarely meet a woman as beautiful as my mother that doesn’t even seem to acknowledge it. Not because they don’t know it but just because they know what truly matters in life lies beyond appearances. Although I can’t help but mention that even in her 70’s, I couldn’t take her grocery shopping without getting hit on in the produce department. And men in her trailer park younger than myself were waiting patiently for her attention. 

There were things I didn’t understand about her, like why she still had the same old furniture and burnt pot holders from 1982. A toaster oven that was so old she had developed the strategic skill of propping its broken door shut with a perfectly wedged cookie sheet (that was also from 1982). But always told you she needed nothing.

Beyond the little annoyances that seem so obsolete today, I loved and admired her and many people did. She was my best friend and I will miss her smile and the sound of her voice every day, even the times it was condescending because I had done something stupid. And I know there are many others reading this that will also. 

She leaves behind four daughters and seven grandchildren. 

Lisa Gross and her two sons, Conner Gross and Laken Gross.

Magen Rader and her son Elias Hamilton.

Malinda Rayford, and her son Tyler Rayford.

Ashley Bouvia and her three children, Braisyn Bouvia, Weston Bouvia, and Aspyn Bouvia.

Her eight nieces and nephews, William Sorrells, Randy Sorrells, Daniel Baker, Anna Baker, Kim Cook, Justin Campbell, Natalie Sorrells, and Valerie Sorrells. 

Her sister from another mother, Linda Dodd and her son Ronnie.

Her God daughter Michelle Hensley.