Charles Clifton Rayfield Sr., 81

CRISFIELD - Charles Clifton Rayfield Sr., 81, died Wednesday, Jan. 23, 2008.

Born Aug. 21, 1926, in Crisfield, he was the son of Clifton and Audrey Goldsborough Rayfield.

In his early years, Charles was an athlete, excelling in baseball, soccer and basketball. After high school, he continued to play baseball with the Central Shore League, now the Eastern Shore Baseball League, and various organized basketball leagues. Later, he coached for several years for the Crisfield Little League and Pony League teams. Afterward, he umpired in the local Little League system.

As a young man, he was a typesetter for the Crisfield Times, then went on to own and operate his own television sales and repair business. Throughout his life, he was an avid fisherman and enjoyed spending time on the local waterways.

Charles was preceded in death by his wife of 52 years, Eloise.

He is survived by three sons, Phillip and Charles Jr. of Crisfield and Douglas of Allen; a brother, William G. Rayfield of Salisbury; grandchildren, Amrit Rayfield of Elkins. W.Va., Denise Sultenfuss of Centreville, Md., and Bradley Rayfield of Salisbury; several great-grandchildren; and nieces and nephews.

He will be sadly missed by a special group of his friends; and his loyal dog, Bo.

A memorial service to honor Charles and celebrate his life was held 11 a.m. Saturday at The Wesleyan Church in Crisfield, with the Rev. Bob Daniels leading the service. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in his honor to Coastal Hospice, P.O. Box 1733, Salisbury, Md. 21802.