Clyde Allen Burford, 74, of Suffolk, VA passed away June 7, 2009. He was born in Bedford, VA where he loved to pick peaches in Gross's Orchard and watch for deer at Peaks of Otter. He was the son of the late Esther A. and Ezra F. Burford and predeceased by his brothers, Rucker and Landon Burford. After 43 ½ years he retired as a clerk from the Norfolk Southern Railroad.

Clyde was a devoted member of Suffolk Christian Church where he served with his wife as the Sexton. He was also a member of the Baraca Class, the church choir, and Saints Alive. He was a former member of First Baptist Church where he served as deacon and on the finance board. Clyde was involved in numerous civic groups. He volunteered for the Salvation Army Soup Kitchen, he was in the YMCA chorus, and was a long time member of the Bedford Jaycees where he helped to build their clubhouse. He enjoyed spending his mornings with his coffee club that consisted of Shirley Duke, Gary Williams, and his wife Sarah.

Clyde was an outstanding athlete receiving 12 letters from his high school in football, basketball, baseball, and track. He umpired for the City of Suffolk for over 16 years and numerous years in Lynchburg. His heart was in sports, he loved to watch his grandsons play ball and loved to watch his favorite football team the Redskins.

Clyde was close to his family and centered in the Lord. He is survived by his beloved wife of 16 years, Sarah P. Burford of Suffolk, VA; daughters and son-in-law, Robin B. and M. Kenneth Taylor of Yorktown, VA; Annette B. Hagwood, Allison B. Taylor both of Suffolk, VA; sons and daughters-in-law, Dennis and Connie Burford of Virginia Beach, VA; David and Luanne Burford of Tampa, FL; step daughter and son-in-law, Christie B. and Jay Robert Oswald of Greenville, NC; grandchildren, Paul, Jarrett, Jeremy, Daniel, Sean, Jeffrey, Meghann, Bethanne, Grant, Denise; sisters, Kathleen Hawkins, Juanita Campbell both of Lynchburg, VA, Norma Jean Hawkins of Bedford, VA; brother and sister-in-law, Macon and Elsie Burford of Goode, VA.


A funeral service will be held Wednesday, June 10, 2009 at 2:30 p.m. at Suffolk Christian Church with Rev. Michael D. Halley officiating. Burial will follow in Holly Lawn Cemetery. Friends may join the family Tuesday night from 7-8 p.m. at Parr Funeral Home & Crematory, 3515 Robs Dr., Suffolk, VA 23434. Memorial donations may be made to Suffolk Christian Church Food Pantry at P.O. Box 1457, Suffolk, VA 23439 or the American Cancer Society, Suffolk Chapter, 604 Constance Woods Dr., Suffolk, VA 23434. Condolences may be registered online at www.parrfuneralhome.com.
The family would like to praise the Lord for the loving medical attention Clyde received from Dr. Mark Lawson and staff as well as family members, Robin, Jay, and Christie. Clyde's motto in life was, "Don't worry what other people think as long as you have the Lord that's what matters."