Funeral Services for Rayford Howard Brand, age 88, of Ashland will be Monday, February 16, 2026 at 11:00 AM at Benefield Funeral Home with Bro. Richie Farrow and Bro. Ben Rosser officiating. Burial will follow at Clay County Memory Gardens with military honors.
Mr. Brand was a Clay County native and lifelong resident. He graduated from Bibb-Graves High School and entered the National Guard at a very young age. He retired from The Army National Guard as a Command Sargent Major after 35 years and served active duty during Desert Storm and the 127th Medical Unit. He also retired from Alabama Power after 33 years.
He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Margaret W. Brand; children, Alex(Delila) Brand and Carla(Mike) Eltz; grandchildren, Tate(Skylar) Brand, Garrett(Beth) Brand, Maggie Brand, Anna(Jacob) David, Holly(Justin) Bailey, Ivey Eltz, Abby Eltz and Sara Grace Eltz; great-grandchildren, Wesley Ann, Emma Sutton, Lily, Miriam, Charlotte, Isla, Nora, Kyle and Weslie; sisters, Bobbie(Don) Robertson, Pat(Jim) Allen, Emma(Ledford) Tinney, Hazel(Bruce) Hess and Deborah Champion; a large number of nieces and nephews and other extended family and many friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Raymond and Exa Brand and sisters, Franchelle Matthews and Jackie Campbell.
Visitation will be Monday before the service from 10:00 until 11:00 at Benefield Funeral Home in Ashland.
