Richard Weldon Raiford, Sr.

Richard Weldon Raiford, Sr., age 83, passed away peacefully on January 28, 2025, in Asheville, North Carolina, surrounded by the love of his family. Born on May 2, 1941, in Atlanta, Georgia, to Thomas and Eleanor Coppedge Raiford, Rich brought kindness, humor, and a dash of Southern charm wherever life took him. A proud graduate of Druid Hills High School, Auburn University, and a U.S. Army Veteran, he cherished his Georgia roots while following his grandchildren and making homes filled with love in Atlanta, Georgia, Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, and most recently, Asheville, North Carolina. Rich was a longtime member of St. John’s United Methodist Church in Atlanta and St. Andrew’s Anglican Church in Mount Pleasant. Rich had a rare gift for making friends wherever he went, a natural extension of his decades-long career in the newspaper industry. He worked in the newsprint recycling business with Southeast Paper Company long before recycling became popular and later founded Peachtree Papers, sharing his passion for sustainable newspaper production practices on a global stage. Ever the conversationalist, Rich often joked that he would work until he “couldn’t talk on the phone anymore,” and that’s exactly what he did. Rich’s devotion to Auburn University was undeniable. Saturdays were best spent watching his beloved Tigers, especially when shared with his son, Weldon. But above all, family was Rich’s greatest joy and legacy. His proudest title was “Poppy,” and he never missed a chance to share stories and photos of his beloved grandchildren: Mary Miles, Claire, and Rai Faulkenberry of Asheville, NC, and Richie and Maxwell Raiford of Nashville, TN. His love, pride, and delight in their lives were boundless. Rich is survived by his loving wife of 56 years, Possie Cochran Raiford; son Richard Raiford, Jr. (Kristin) of Nashville, TN; daughter Windsor Faulkenberry (Scott) of Fairview, NC; sister Pat Thomas (Butch) of Pawley’s Island, SC; and niece Holly Raiford (Dave) of Marietta, GA. Rich was predeceased by his beloved brother, Thomas Conaway Raiford, Jr. He also leaves behind a large circle of nieces, nephews, and friends. As we celebrate his life, we find peace knowing that Rich is reunited forever with his brother and lifelong best friend, Tom Raiford, where they are both whole and healed—and most definitely laughing and playing golf. There will be a Celebration of Life service on Saturday, April 12, 2025, at 2:00 pm at Brooks-Howell Chapel, 266 Merrimon Avenue, Asheville, NC. A reception at Brooks-Howell will follow the service. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to First United Methodist Church of Waynesville, designated for the Hurricane Helene Relief Fund at 566 S. Haywood St., Waynesville, NC 28786.

Tributes

Richard Weldon Raiford, Sr.

May 2, 1941 - January 28, 2025