Truman Hubert Raiford, son, husband, father, granddaddy, brother-in-law, and uncle, but above all, a child of God, went to his heavenly home on Friday, August 18, 2023. His absence will be felt keenly by all who love him, and the earthly realm has lost a great soldier, but God knew it was time to call him home.

One of four children, Truman was born in Many, Louisiana, to William McKinley and Ruth Weatherly Raiford. The family moved to Houston, Texas, when he was a teenager, and he attended high school at Jefferson Davis, where he met his high school sweetheart, Betty Ann Pearson.

He married his once-in-a-lifetime love on September 30, 1955, and they settled in Houston, where he attended business and accounting courses at the University of Houston. He spent most of his early accounting career in the oil and gas industry. He provided accounting services for many companies over the course of his career, resulting in great friendships, and also ran several start-ups. The light of his spirit touched everyone, and he was greatly loved and respected in return. His generous and gentle nature was rare indeed.

Truman was a priesthood holder in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, where he and Betty were active in the church. He spent many hours helping to build the church at 16331 Hafer Road in Houston. He was a very good baseball player who placed in tournaments, was a medic in the National Guard, knew how to play a tune on the guitar, and could draw the best cowboy on a paper napkin that you've ever seen.

Truman and Betty have three children: Daryl, Sandra, and Kimberly. Everything that Truman did was for the love and joy of his family, and adventures on family road trips were a favored activity. In older age, he discovered woodworking, and specifically birdhouse-building, a cathartic hobby that resulted in many beautiful birdhouses. He loved the outdoors, so any time spent on his woodworking or in the garage with his tools was time well spent. Last but not least, he was very proud to see all three of his children and one granddaughter graduate from The University of Texas at Austin, and was a devoted Texas Longhorns fan. If there was a problem to be solved, the mantra was to "call Dad." He could fix anything. We will forever carry the loss that we can no longer "call Dad." We love you, Dad.

Truman is survived by his loving wife of 68 years, Betty Ann Pearson Raiford; his children, Daryl Raiford (Elizabeth), Sandra Raiford Sheehan and Kimberly Raiford Wildes (David); six grandchildren, Macy and Cassidy Sheehan, Charlotte and Ryan Raiford, and Emma and Aiden Wildes; brother-in-law, Charles Pearson (Rita); and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, William and Ruth Raiford, and brothers Willard, Argyle, and Kenneth Raiford.

The family will receive friends for a visitation for Truman on August 25, 2023 from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. and a service will begin at 11:00 a.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints located at 19920 Champion Forest Drive, Spring, Texas, 77379. Burial will be at Klein Memorial Park, 9714 FM 2920, Tomball, Texas, 77375.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Claire Brothers Funeral Home, 7901 Hillcroft Street, Houston, Texas 77081.