The Record Newspapers - Hometown News For Orange County, Texas

Rayford Spurgeon, 83, of West Orange, passed away Friday, March 21, at Baptist Hospital in Orange.

Funeral services will be at 10:00 a.m., Monday, March 24, at McDonald Memorial Baptist Church in West Orange. Officiating will be the Rev. Joel Warren of McDonald Memorial Baptist Church. A graveside service will follow, at 4:30 p.m. at Sunset Memorial Park at Nacogdoches.

Serving as pallbearers will be Blake Caillier, Blaine Caillier, Jake Spurgeon, Tyler Spurgeon, Logan Spurgeon, and Larry Schexnider. Honorary pallbearers will include Gary Spurgeon, Bryan Spurgeon, and the deacons of McDonald Memorial Baptist Church.

Visitation will be from 5:00-8:00 p.m., Sunday at Claybar Funeral Home in Orange.

Born in Lufkin, on March 28, 1930, Rayford was the son of John Alexander and Precillia (Irby) Spurgeon. He retired from Firestone after 38 years of service as an operator. Rayford was a member of McDonald Memorial Baptist Church, where he served as deacon, Sunday school teacher, and member of the choir. He loved to fish, and was a skillful carpenter. Rayford would often do carpentry work for the church, friends, and family. He was a kind person who enjoyed helping others, no matter the need.

Rayford was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, John Spurgeon, Harvard Spurgeon; twin-brother, Ralph Spurgeon; sisters, Esterline Standley, and Charlsie Casper.

He is survived by his wife, Hazel Spurgeon of West Orange; son, Gary Spurgeon of Highlands; daughter, Gayla Thompson of Orange; son, Bryan Spurgeon and wife, Debbie of Mauriceville; grandchildren, Blake Caillier, Blaine Caillier, Jake Spurgeon, Tyler Spurgeon, Merissa Spurgeon, Luke Spurgeon, Logan Spurgeon, Miriah Spurgeon, and great-grandson, Cayson Ray Spurgeon.

For those that wish, memorial contributions may be made to McDonald Memorial Baptist Church. 2015 Sims St., Orange, Texas, 77630.