Rayford Max Barrett

Rayford Maxwell Barrett, “Max”, entered Heaven on August 9th, 2025, exactly two weeks after his 96th birthday on July 26th, 2025. He was one of 11 children born to Grover Seay and Lottie Mozelle (Harris) Barrett of Mellow Valley, Alabama. He was predeceased by siblings: Christine Jordan, Derwood Barrett, L.G. Barrett, Charles Barrett, Rebecca Patterson, Wana Jean Barrett & Nathan Barrett. He is survived by his brothers Huey Barrett and Reggie Barrett and sister Glenda Perry.

He was predeceased by his wife Doris Bailey Barrett, after 68 years of marriage, son Maxwell Keith Barrett and daughter Sheree Lynn Barrett. He is survived by daughter Wanda Barrett Yelvington (Mike), granddaughters Sarah Yelvington Adeshina (Will) and Heather Yelvington and great-granddaughter Caro Jessamine Adeshina. He is survived by many special nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. He was an Air Force Veteran of 25 years having served both in Korea and two tours in Vietnam. He resided in Tallahassee, FL, and attended Woodrun Baptist Church. He gave his life to Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior at age 10 and was a deacon, Sunday School teacher, bus ministry driver, and prison ministry participant over the years. He loved the Lord, his family, and his friends. He studied his Bible, supported the church and its outreach programs. He liked to garden, read, and watch football (especially Alabama, Roll Tide!). He kept up with current political and social events and discussed them with you whether you were interested in them or not! He was generous with his finances and supported many evangelistic, humanitarian and military-related ministries monthly. He showed his love for his Lord by loving others.

“For God so loved the world, He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever should believe in Him, shall not perish, but have eternal life” (John 3:16) was a truth he lived by, talked on, and shared tracts about. He served his country and he served the Kingdom of God. Our lives are blessed and challenged by his example.

A time of visitation will be held 10:00 a.m. Friday August 15, 2025 at Woodrun Baptist Church in Tallahassee with a celebration of Max's life following at 11:00 a.m. with Reverend Grady Shafer officiating. Interment will follow on Saturday at 2:00 p.m. in County Line Baptist Church Cemetery near Cragford, Alabama.

Suggested Memorial donations, in lieu of flowers, include: Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (1 Billy Graham Parkway Charlotte, NC 28201), Child Evangelism Fellowship (PO Box 5893 Tallahassee, FL, 32314), or Woodrun Baptist Church (8203 Apalachee Parkway Tallahassee, FL, 32311)