Treasure, jewel, pillar, inspiration; these are just some of the words used by those who lamented the passing of Cora Raiford, the “miracle worker of Homewood.”
Raiford, 79, was interred July 15, after having succumbed to smoke inhalation during a fire at her home four days earlier that also claimed the life of her son, Kenneth, 56.
Friends attending the viewing for both braved a full parking lot and a two-hour journey through the reception line to pay their respects. Raiford knew everyone—and everyone came to say farewell.
CORA RAIFORD
She was remembered during services at Petra International Ministries as a devoted mother, a master seamstress, a superb cook, a church founder, author, teacher and mentor to young mothers.
Maurita Bryant, Pittsburgh police assistant chief, who recalled attending Raiford’s homemaking school as a young girl in the early 1970s, said she was respected by young and old—the kind of woman who could yell at someone else’s kids and nobody complained.
“You didn’t want her telling on you. She was a special woman,” she said. “She always took the time to help anyone by teaching her cooking, sewing and crafts. So much of what she did is needed today for young girls starting families too early. She used to talk to you, and keep people on the right path. I wouldn’t be where I am without her input. It just breaks my heart.”
Born Cora Mae Jones in Lineville, Ala., in 1929, Raiford met and married her husband Eli after visiting Pittsburgh in the 1940s. In addition to Kenneth, she had four other sons, Milton, Cornelius, William and Kevin. A career employee with Action Housing, Inc., she opened her homemaking center upon retiring.
As a teacher and mentor to thousands of Pittsburghers, she was called “The Miracle Worker of Homewood” because of her ability to affect the lives of “at-risk” women. A winner of many awards, Raiford also served as president of the Women’s Auxiliary of the Pittsburgh Branch of the NAACP and was a founding member of Petra.
Greater Pittsburgh Coliseum owner John Brewer said while his wife knew Raiford from her work as a seamstress, he knew her from her community work.
“I knew her as “Ma” Raiford,” he said. “She was an educator, who inspired a lot of people to do good. She always gave good advice and her death is a great loss to the community.”
City Councilman Rev. Ricky Burgess echoed Brewer’s sentiment. “This is a great tragedy for the community,” he said. “She was a leader in neighborhood and a great role model. Her passing will leave a void.”
Kiva Fisher-Green, Burgess’ legislative aide, remembered first meeting Raiford while working as a bank teller in Homewood.
“She would come in every month to redeem these 30-year-old savings bonds her husband had bought and she gave me one of her books of sewing,” she said. “She made my best friend’s wedding dress. It’s so sad. We don’t have many pillars left, they’re little jewels that can still touch the young people, and that get respect. She was one of them.”
In addition to her husband and four sons, her four grandchildren Carmella, Milton Jr., Sienna and Ian survive Raiford.