Raford Mickles was born on October 31, 1947 to Sammie Lee and Ernest Mickles Sr. in McComb, Mississippi. He was baptized at Holmes Baptist Church. Raford graduated from Mattie T. Blount High School in 1965 and went on to further his education at Clark College in Atlanta, Georgia. He married Catherine Ann Reed in January 1966 and during that union they had 3 children. Raford worked at Mobile Pulley Works for several years. In 1970 he began working at BellSouth as a service technician, where he remained until retiring in 2005.

As a young man Raford was a great provider and was hard working. He enjoyed fishing and giving his catch away to elders in the community. Raford loved grilling and entertaining family and friends. He always welcomed anyone that stopped to visit and made sure they had a plate to go.

Raford was preceded in death by his parents Sammie Lee and Ernest Mickles Sr., wife Catherine Mickles, brother Ernest Mickles Jr., sister Nadine Roderick and granddaughter Jalaycia Mickles.

He leaves to cherish his memory five children: Rayford Mickles Jr., Rodney Mickles, Danielle Mickles, Lakesha Betties and Veronica Betties; six grandchildren: Alicia Mickles, Darion Mickles, Rayford Mickles III, Sabrina Russell, Maya Mickles and Caitlyn Russell; niece Denise Roderick, and a host of other relatives and friends.