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John Radford
In Memory of
John Melvin
Radford
1924 - 2023
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Obituary for John Melvin Radford

John Melvin was born August 20, 1924, in Lawton, Fayette County, WV, the second son of Thomas M.
and Ellen Mosley Radford, who precede him in death, as well as his siblings, Rosa Lee Jones, Walter G.,
William M. and Annie M. Radford-White.
John was educated in the Fayette County school system and was a graduate of Simmons High School.
He accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior at an early age and was a lifelong member of Morning Star
Baptist Church which was founded the year and month of his birth. He continued his Christian
education throughout his life taking correspondence, online courses and any State, District and local
conferences classes offered to make him a better father, deacon, Sunday School teacher and community
leader. John enlisted in the United States Army on July 2, 1943 and fought in World War II. Corporal
Radford was Honorably Discharged on November 17, 1945. He was awarded the Good Conduct Medal,
American Theater Service Ribbon, World War II Victory Ribbon, and European African Middle Eastern
Theater Service Ribbon.
John married the love of his life, Legirtha Mae Donald, on June 24, 1943, and to this union eight children
were born. The oldest, Thomas Melvin Radford II and the youngest Doretha Mae McKenzie, preceded
him in death. Theirs was a love that stood the test of time for sixty-seven years. His wife, Legirtha
preceded him in death on August 3 2010. He loved spending time with his family, especially the grands.
He would greet everyone with the biggest and brightest smile you would ever want to see. All who
knew and loved him will sorely miss his presence and smiling face. John tried to instill in all young men
that “you can’t be a man until you see a man.”
After his discharge, John returned home where he worked as a coal miner and retired from Carbon Fuel
Coal Company. John was a pillar of the community and was instrumental in starting the Deepwater
Public Service District which brought the end to “ out houses “and introduction to indoor plumbing.
John was member of numerous organizations, including Bright Hope Lodge #9 F&AM, Past Worthy
Patron Naomi Chapter No. 10 Order of the Eastern Star, King Solomon Evers Consistory #305, Ramadan
Temple #127, and American Legion Post #139. Dad was associated with numerous Christian
organizations which we encouraged him to write down over the years. His answer was “let the work I’ve
done speak for me.” He was manager of the United Baptist Singers.
He leaves to celebrate his legacy, daughters Wanda L. (Truman) Dixon, Capital Heights, MD; Ethel J.
(Steve) Hicks, Lutz, FL and Brenda J. (Bobby) Rogers, Deepwater, WV; sons, MGySgt USMC(Ret) Alfred D.
(Hazel), Clarksville, TN, MSgt USAF(Ret) Robert L. (Herminia), Jacksonville, and CMSgt USAF(Ret) Lester
C. (Carol) Radford, Goldsboro, NC; 16 grandchildren; Silkina Jackson, Tia Lewis, Kevin Rogers, Barbara
Belcher, Kia Murray, Lia Dyer, Thomas M. Radford III, Michael Hicks, Truman Dixon Jr., Erica Radford,
Andre McKenzie, Robert Radford II, Angela Radford, Calvin McKenzie Jr., William Radford and Veronica
Radford; 32 great-grandchildren and 16 great-great-grandchildren.
Service will be on Saturday at 12:00 Noon at the Morning Star Baptist Church in Deep Water with Rev. William Isaac Kinney officiating. Burial will follow in Meadow Haven Memorial Park at Ingram Branch. Visitation will be held from 5-7 pm on Friday at Morning Star Baptist Church. O’Dell Funeral Home, Montgomery is In charge of arrangements where expressions of sympathy can be sent at www.odellfuneralhome.com
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