Mr. Ralph Tedford Jr.

TEDFORD, Mr. Ralph - Age 80, passed away Saturday, December 30, 2023, at his residence. Family hour 9:00 AM Saturday, January 13, 2023, at Triumph Church Burton Campus 2130 S. Center Rd., Burton, MI., with funeral service commencing at 10:00 AM, Pastor Solomon Kinloche Host Pastor, Pastor Ralph Godbee Presiding, Pastor Carl Tedford, Eulogist. Interment Sunset Hills Cemetery, G-4413 Flushing Rd. Friends and pallbearers will assemble at the Church 9:00 AM Saturday. Mr. Tedford will lie in state in the Chapel of Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home, 906 W. Flint Park Blvd., and may be viewed from 1:00 PM-6:00 PM Friday, with family present from 3:00 PM-6:00 PM to receive friends. Ralph Tedford Jr. was born October 31, 1943, in Benham, Kentucky to Ralph B. Tedford Sr. and Lessie Mae Bethune-Tedford. Ralph, Jr. was the eldest of twelve (12) children. He attended elementary school in both Lynch, Kentucky and Cleveland, Ohio. Later, the family relocated to Michigan. After graduating from Flint Central High School in 1962, Ralph, Jr. married Margaret Ann Anderson. Together, they birthed, nurtured and raised eight (8) children. Ralph, Jr. earned his heavenly wings on Saturday, December 30, 2023, 7:30 am. He is now reunited with his loving wife Margaret Ann and son Ralph, III. Ralph Jr. was employed by Buick Motor Division. After seven years he transferred to General Motors Turnstead and General Motors Fisher Body Plant where he worked in Security. Ralph, Jr. returned to Buick Motor Division as sergeant of security. After 30+ years of employment with General Motors, Ralph, Jr. retired. The Tedford Family attended Christ Assembly Full Gospel Tabernacle under the pastorate of the late Bishop Frazier P. Carlton. Mother Lessie Mae Tedford insisted all her children attend church with her together. Mother Lessie instilled godly principles in the lives of her children and taught them how to pray and seek God’s guidance in everything. While attending Christ Assembly Full Gospel Tabernacle, Ralph, Jr. was ordained a deacon. Using his gifts for the glory of God, Ralph, Jr. played the guitar and wrote music for the choir. In 1980 Ralph Jr. moved his church membership to The Mount Calvary Missionary Baptist Church under the pastorate of the late Reverend Dr. Granville Smith Sr. During his membership at Mt. Calvary, he was an active participant of the music ministry, playing the guitar along with teaching and directing the male chorus. Also, Ralph served with the fine arts department successfully staging several plays he authored. As times began to change, crime and criminal activity increased, therefore calling for the congregations to implement a security system to protect their parishioners as they worshipped. Pastor Granville Smith appointed Sergeant Ralph Tedford, Jr. to develop a security team for Mt. Calvary. During the process of developing the Security Team, Sergeant Tedford, Jr., was contacted by General Arlee Mitchner to join the board of security leaders and Sheriff Wilson to implement a plan to keep all churches safe. Bringing his skills and experiences to the table, the team adopted his plans to expand, recruit, train and bond security persons for all congregations interested. Because of his accomplishments in Security in Ministry (SIM) Sergeant Tedford, Jr., was promoted to Colonel of Security in Ministry. At the retirement of Sheriff Wilson, General Mitchner and Colonel Ralph continued the work of SIM with the new Sheriff Robert Pickell. This union helped many of the houses of worship to keep not only their congregants safe but their properties as well. Colonel Tedford expanded SIM and implemented training and teaching for all officers, members, and congregations. During his tenure many bonds were formed between the pastors, churches, and the community. Colonel Tedford retired from SIM in February of 2020 and passed the mantle on to Major Danny Knight. In 2000 Colonel Tedford joined The Grace Emmanuel Baptist Church under the pastorate of the Reverend Dr. Marvin A Jennings Sr., now emeritus pastor, and current pastor, the Reverend Rabon Turner. While at Grace Emmanuel, Ralph, Jr. was part of the music ministry playing guitar and working alongside his son the late Ralph, III, music director. Ralph Jr. attended Grace Emmanuel regularly until he moved to Texas to be with his wife Margaret in March 2020. After his wife transitioned in January 2021, Ralph moved to Maryland with his daughters Elizabeth and Dorcas. During the pandemic, while churches were closed for in-person services, Ralph enjoyed attending Sunday virtual services of his eldest son, Pastor Carl Tedford. He was a faithful supporter of the ministry. He also enjoyed attending church services and concerts with his daughters. Ralph enjoyed his life in Maryland and was able to fulfill a lifelong dream and go to Florida to spend Christmas at Universal Studios and Island of Adventures with all three of his daughters and their families. He would often say, “I see why your mom loved to travel with you girls, you all spoiled her”. Ralph’s girls enjoyed spoiling him as well and indulging him in the best and finest cuisines that Maryland offers. He was told often, and it was demonstrated to him that his family loved and treasured him. He resided in the home of Dorcas and her family until his death. Ralph Jr. had many accomplishments in his life, yet his greatest was instilling the gift and love of music to all his beloved children and nurturing the gifts that God granted to each. He taught each of them to read and write music, the foundations of music and music theory. Each of his sons were given instruments according to his assessment of their ability to master the instrument. Each of the girls were encouraged to sing and excel. The Tedford children were encouraged to go above and beyond with their music ability and in their life endeavors. The Tedford children was raised in the church and taught to serve God. The motto for the Tedford household was “As for me and my house we will serve the Lord”. Ralph was taught and skilled in the art of Aikido and Jujitsu achieving a black belt in both. He would often take some of his children to the Dojo with him during practice teaching them martial arts and how they should be used. Ralph lived his life by this scripture: Philippians 4:6-8 Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Ralph, Jr., authored several books: “Security in Ministry,” “The Life & Chronicles of RTJ,” and “I Am What I Am.” As a playwright, Ralph, Jr., wrote and produced several stage plays: “A New Country, A New God part one and part II,” “A Request from Hell,” “A Story that was Never told,” and many others. His legacy will continue, and his story will be shared with the world as a testament of his life: a man of faith and a family man. Now resting from his labor and sitting at the throne of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, Colonel Ralph Tedford Jr. leaves to cherish his memories and maintain his legacy; loving children: Carla (Calvin) Foreman, Jacksonville, Florida; Pastor Carl Tedford, Flint, Michigan; Frazier (Jolanda) Tedford, Bluffdale, Utah; Emuell (Jeanette) Tedford, Detroit, Michigan; Elizabeth (Joseph) Miller, Hanover, Maryland; Carlton Scott Tedford, San Diego, California; Dorcas (Dr. Ronald Jr.) Green, Severn, Maryland; adoring grandchildren: Marguerite, Jannelle, Jazmine (Frank), Keith, Keyya, Quionne, Ryan, Bianca (Steven), Antonnette (Kenny), Candise, Kenisha, Ici, Mariah and Cameron; treasured great grandchildren: Imani, Elliott, Elias, Ella, Eloni, Kyron, Miria, Keith III, Cameron, Carieth and Knoxx, Deniyah, Kaiden, Amaya, Justin, Maci and Myron; Brothers: Donnie Tedford, Flint, Michigan; Frank Tedford, Detroit, Michigan; Ricky (Arlene) Tedford, Los Angeles, California; Sisters: Dorahetta (Preston) Peery, Davidson, Michigan; Tracy Tedford, Los Angeles, California, many nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts, uncles, extended family and friends. Colonel Ralph Tedford Jr. was preceded in death by his loving wife Margaret Ann; son, Ralph Tedford, III; father, Ralph B. Tedford Sr.; mother, Lessie Mae Tedford; brothers, Rev. Robert Mills, Ronnie Tedford Sr., Dansby Tedford Sr., Dr. William Tedford; sisters, Vickie Tedford, and Mae Alice Tedford-Baker; grandparents, Big Jett Mills and Danny Sue Cooper Mills

Mr. Ralph Tedford Jr.

October 31, 1943 - December 30, 2023