John Wilson Raiford

Mr. John Wilson Raiford, 41 of Buffington Rd., Thomson, Ga. entered into rest on Friday, October 29, 2021 at his residence.

Mr. Raiford was born on December 16, 1979 in Augusta, Ga. where he grew up and graduated from Hephzibah High School in 1998. In the years leading to graduation, he was a competitive rodeo rider and won the Georgia State High School Bareback Bronc championship in 1998, and placed 3rd in the National High School Finals Rodeo which got him a rodeo scholarship to ABAC.

The outdoorsman spirit that he had before his accident that left him paralyzed, remained as strong as ever. His disability didn't hold him back from doing the things that he loved including deer hunting, kayaking and riding his four wheeler.  Other interests included knifesmithing, gardening, building bird houses and cultivating bonsai trees.

Survivors include his parents Tony Wilson and Mary Quick Raiford; sister, Mary Elizabeth Raiford and her son Jason Shoptaw all of Aiken, SC; brother, Jason Raiford and his wife Jennifer and their son Noah all of Lincolnton.

His brother, Tony Raiford, Jr. preceded him in death.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, November 2, 2021 at 3 pm at Double Branches Baptist Church. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends beginning at 2pm until the hour of the service in the church social hall.

Beggs Funeral Home, 200 May Ave., Lincolnton in honored to serve the family of Mr. John W. Raiford.