NATCHEZ — Funeral services for Raiford G. Strong, 81, of Natchez, who died Friday, May 13, 2013 at Adams County Nursing Center will be 10:30 a.m. Monday at First Baptist Church of Natchez with the Rev. Dr. Doug Broome officiating.

Burial will follow at Greenlawn Memorial Park Cemetery under the direction of Laird Funeral Home.

Visitation will be 5 to 7 p.m. today and 9:30 a.m. until time of services Monday, both at the church.

Mr. Strong was born Sept. 26, 1931 in Amite County, the son of Oren H. Strong and Lexene Sorrells Strong. He was a graduate of Crosby High School. He was a member of First Baptist Church. Mr. Strong retired from International Paper Company after 47 years of service as an analyst. He was also a board member emeritus with Old South Credit Union and served on the Natchez Dixie Youth Baseball Board of Directors for more than 20 years. He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Byford Strong, and one sister, Jeanette Hood.

Survivors include his wife of 63 years, Nelda Case Strong; three sons, Ray Strong and wife, Marie, of Fredricksburg, Va., Jim Strong and wife, Susan, of Jefferson, Ga., and Bob Strong and wife, Connie, of Oolteway, Tenn.; three grandsons, Robert Strong, Joseph Strong and Cole Strong; four granddaughters, Kasey Strong, Carrie Welborn, Kelly Hash and Caitlin Strong; six great-grandchildren, Jeremiah Strong, Lucas Strong, Nolan Strong, Olivia Strong, Abagail Welborn and Ainslee Hash; three brothers, Billy Strong and wife, Carolyn, of Natchez, Dr. David Strong and wife, Deborah, of Brookhaven and Lavon Strong and wife, Ann, of Springfield, Va.; and three sisters-in-law, Carol Lockwood of Gloster, Cathy Campbell of Pascagoula and Murl Strong of Olla, La.

Pallbearers will be Omer Strong, Dr. Mark Strong, Tony Strong, Chris Strong, Bobby Strong, Jason Strong, Patrick Strong and Steve Lockwood.

Honorary pallbearers will be members of the John Leckie Sunday School Class.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to a charity of choice.

Online condolences may be made to www.lairdfh.com.