Obituary of Milford Theadford

Milford Theadford made his transition peacefully to his heavenly home on Saturday, May 23, 2020 just a few months after his 22nd Leap Year Birthday. Milford Theadford "{Lovingly Called Ted}" was the son of Dempsey and Purnell (Greene) Theadford.He was born on February 29, 1932, in Indianola, PA. Milford was educated in the Easton Area Public Schools.He was a dedicated student that enjoyed mathematics and received the top honors of his class. He never missed a day of school for 3 years, for those of you that cannot add as fast as Milford that was 540 days. Milford kept a job after school and on Saturdays atthe Sun Ray Drugstore. He was a fast walker too, often beating Mary’s bus, up Canal Street in Easton. He received his driver’s license at the age of 16 and bought a dark blue Pontiac. After his high school graduation, he enlisted into the Armed Forces serving in the Korean War.He worked in the Lehigh Foundry, one of the largest Steel Mills in the Country. He attended Rutgers University where he earned a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Accounting. He worked for the United States Government at the Internal Revenue Service, as a Case Manager for 35 years. He would later be used as an example of a person of influence and cited in an article GO WEST: HOW THE I.R.S. SHOULD FOSTER INNOVATION IN ITS AGENTS, which is befitting because he was an avid reader, that enjoyed reading Thomas Clancy novels. Milford met the love of his life Mary Edna (Reed) Theadford during their times at the Baptist Young Peoples Training Union (BYPTU)a organization created by his Aunt Bessie Jones.Theyserved as tutors to other youth, studied the bible, swam, and fellowshipped. Milford enjoyed playing checkers with Mary’s father the Reverend Wilmer Walter Reed. They were high school sweethearts and were married on March 5, 1955. From their union were born two children: Brian and Brita On Saturday’s Milford would visit his mother in Easton and often help his brother Odell work in his Automotive Shop. In his spare time, he was a photographer,he gardened and would share his bounty with many neighbors and friends. He was a runner and would wake up at 5:00 am to have a mile run before work. He loved the Penn Relays. He loved making pancakes for dinner, taking Brian fishing and even did Brita’s hair from time to time. He was a great speaker, leader and provided sound advice. Milford was the ‘Corner Stone’ in the establishment of our family reunions. Through his research in 1970, he was an integral part of creating the Theadford-Thedford-Thetford family reunions, with his cousin Roosevelt Thedford. The family reunion meetings officially began in 1980 and have continued for the past thirty-nine yearsand allowed the family to travel throughout the 50 states meeting other family members each July. Our family reunions will not be the same. Milford joined Second Baptist Church in September of 1979.He and his daughter Brita were baptized together on October 28, 1979. He was a long-time member of the Usher Board, Sunday School Teacher, Trustee Board and Male Chorus.One of the fondest memories,will be of him giving children hayrides during the Harvest Festival. He loved it and so did his grandchildren. Milford is preceded in death by his son, Brian Theadford, brothers; Andrew Theadford (Ida), Odell Theadford, Sr., and Charles Theadford. Milford leaves to cherish his memory, his loving and devoted wife of 65 years Mary; his daughter, Dr. Brita A. Theadford (Woodard); two loving sisters, Ms. Marie Alford (Clarence) and Ms. Rebecca Smith (Elmer); three grandchildren; Ms. Brook M. Butler, Mrs. Kyra C. (Woodard) Brown, Ms. Alexandria K. Woodard; four great grandchildren, Basil Williams, Jace Sistrunk, Amaris and Alida Brown;a god-son and nephew, Mr. Joseph Theadford and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, church family members, and friends.