Raymond Edward Stanford

Raymond Edward Stanford, 86, of Reliance, passed away Sunday, August 22, 2010 at a local healthcare facility. He was a member of the Benton Church of God. He was retired from IBM. Mr. Stanford was the son of the late Earl F. Stanford and Lucy Peck Stanford and was also preceded in death by a daughter, Rhonda Decker, brother Charles Stanford, sisters, Clara Hale and Doris Hogle. He is survived by his wife Rosalie Stanford of Reliance; children: Robert Stanford and wife Suzanne of Stormville, Ohio, Rebecca Hopper and husband, Edmund of Highland, NY; one son-in-law, Joseph Decker of Reliance, TN; grandchildren: Rebecca Decker, Amanda Decker, David Stillwell and wife Kristy, Melinda Benanti and husband, Salvatore, Tina Hoffman, James Stanford, Stacy Mohammed, Keri Fletcher, Devin Stanford, one step grandson, David Seymour and wife Lindsey; eight great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews also survive. Funeral services will be conducted at 7:00 p.m. Thursday, August 26, 2010 in the chapel of Higgins Funeral Home with Reverend Jerry Herron officiating. Interment will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, August 27, 2010 at Benton Memorial Gardens with a white dove release ceremony concluding the service. His family will receive friends from 5-7 p.m. Thursday, August 26, 2010 at the funeral home prior to the service. We invite you to send a message of condolence and view the Stanford family guestbook at www.higginsfuneral.com.