Clarence ''Ray'' Ashford

Clarence "Ray" Ashford of Abingdon, Md died on July 30, 2016, surrounded by loved ones, at Upper Chesapeake Medical Center in Bel Air, MD.

Born to William F. and Callie E. (Shrader) Ashford, he was the husband of the late Alice Lillian Ashford. He had worked for Harford County Public Schools at both Edgewood and Havre de Grace High Schools before his retirement, and later working in Custodial Services at Upper Chesapeake Medical Center. Ray was a charter member of his church and an active member. He was a generous, loving man who always put others needs before his own. He and his wife were foster parents and touched the lives of over 400 children in the state of Maryland as well as Pennsylvania. Ray enjoyed playing softball, cards and checkers.

Mr. Ashford is pre deceased by a daughter Alicia A. Ashford and survived by his children Mark A. Ashford, David R. Ashford, Tammy E. Long, Shelia R. Ashford, Chrissy L. Ashford-Bryk, Sheila A. Ashford -Thornton, Lisa S. Ashford- Shaffer and Nicole R. Ashford; foster sons, Cyrille Demers and William Wilson; sister, Margaret Fitzgerald; 19 grandchildren, 24 great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.