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Raiford was born April 20, 1931, to General Raiford and Bessie Hailey and was a lifetime resident of Bridgeport.
She attended the Read Elementary School and graduated from Central High School in 1950, then graduated in 1954 from Bridgeport Hospital School of Nursing. She also attended Housatonic Community College, Sacred Heart University and Loyola University in Chicago, Ill.
She retired from Hills Hospital in Newtown as director of nursing after 28 years of service.
In 1987, Raiford graduated from American Academy McAllister Institute of Funeral Services in New York City and was also a licensed funeral director and embalmer in the State of Connecticut.
She was previously employed by Cook County School of Nursing in Chicago, Ill.; Hansen Memorial Hospital in St. Thomas, Virgin Islands and Gargas Hospital in Panama Canal Zone. Her hobbies were knitting and jewelry making. She was an avid skier and world traveler.
Raiford also volunteered at Bridgeport Hospital, Bridgeport Hospital Auxiliary and for several community programs.
She was a member of Bridgeport Hospital Alumni Association I and II, Retired State Employees Association Chapter 407, Retired Senior Volunteer Program of Eastern Fairfield County, former member of the National Brotherhood Skiers, The American Nurses Association and the National Black Nurses Association.
Elmon was predeceased by brothers, Ulious Raiford, James Raiford, General Lee Raiford, Charles Raiford and sisters, Lila R Grimes, Miriam R. Edwards, Naomi R. Grace.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, at 11 a.m. at Bethel A.M.E. Church, 110 Grove St. in Bridgeport, followed by interment in Mount Grove Cemetery in Bridgeport.
Friends may call Saturday, from 10 to 11 a.m. at the church.
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