JOSIE BEALL ALFORD (RAYFORD)

The following bio was taken from page 90 of the book entitled "Rusk County History" compiled and edited and used with permission of the Rusk County Historical Commission.

Transcribed by Shirley Koym

Submitted by Gloria Briley Mayfield, Rusk County TX Coordinator

Josie Beall Alford was the second child of E. B. and Ella Alford, Sr. (See E. B. Alford, Sr. family) and also (see C. G. Rayford family.)

Josie Beall was educated in the Henderson city schools and Southwestern University at Georgetown. She was a member of the Zeta Tau Alpha sorority. She married John Julian (Don) Rayford, a member of another pioneer family (see C. G. Rayford family).

Josie Beall was named for E. B., Sr.’s sister Josephine and his mother’s maiden name (Sophronia) Beall. She was considered the "belle" of the county and was popular among the young people with whom she grew up. Josie Beall’s having one of the first "chafing dishes" in the community shows that she kept up with the lastest fads and fashions. She and her husband, Don, learned many recipes and entertained friends with the tasting of the latest dish. Mrs. Rayford was, according to many accounts, extremely attractive and had many admirers, but her school girl beau, Don Rayford, won her hand.

One night, Josie Beall went to a party at Mrs. Gladney’s (the music teacher), and Josie Beall came home describing the little green-like buttons she ate. The buttons were "olives" and had never been seen before in the city of Henderson.

Josie Beall had many activities which included her work in the First Methodist Church, Parent-Teacher Association, and a number of women’s clubs. She was also one of the directors of the Lakewood Memorial Cemetery.

Mr. And Mrs. Rayford had three children, J. J. (Jack) Jr., Bessie Lou, and Jesse David.

Submitted by Virginia Knapp