Elmer Watson "Biff" Brafford

Elmer Watson “Biff” Brafford, 95, of Elon passed away Friday, August 17, 2018. A celebration of his life will be held at Elon Community Church, United Church of Christ, on Monday, August 20 at 2p.m. with Rev. Randy Orwig officiating. Burial will follow in Magnolia Cemetery.
Elmer was born January 8, 1923 to Maud Scott and John Wilson Brafford in Kannapolis, NC. His early years were spent in Robbins, NC where he graduated from Elise Academy. Elmer served in the Air Force during World War II in several military occupations. He was trained in Air Corps Engineering and Operations at Colorado A & M College in Ft. Collins, CO and later in Personnel Classification at the Adjutant General School at South Dakota State University in Brookings, SD. Elmer was stationed at Greenville Air Base in Greenville, SC with the 470th Bombardment Squadron and then with the Bombardment Group Headquarters at the Greenville Army Base where he worked as a classification specialist. During the Battle of the Bulge, Elmer was sent to Infantry training and served in this capacity until he was discharged from the Air Force in 1946.
Elmer married his childhood sweetheart, Doris MacLean, on July 31, 1943. They moved to Elon College (now Elon), NC where he enrolled at Elon (now Elon University) and completed his undergraduate degree in 1950. Elmer worked for the NC Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services for over forty years as a counselor, counseling supervisor, regional supervisor, and quality control specialist. He completed advanced specialized coursework at NC State University, Virginia Commonwealth University, West Virginia University, and Duke University. Elmer completed a Master of Education Degree in Counseling at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro in 1967 and was one of the first counselors in the US to receive the national rehabilitation counselor certification. Elmer received numerous awards for outstanding work in the field of counseling including the NC Rehabilitation Counselor Award, the Citation of Merit for Outstanding Leadership, Devotion and Service to the Handicapped, and the Lockhart Folin-Mace Advocacy Award given by the Alamance County Mayor’s Committee for Persons with Disabilities.
Elmer served his church and community selflessly. He was a member of the Elon Community Church for over sixty years where he served as a Sunday School teacher, Building and Grounds Supervisor, deacon, and trustee. He enjoyed volunteer work very much and in 2001 was a recipient of the “WFMY-TV 2 Those who Care Award” which recognized outstanding volunteers in the Piedmont. Elmer was a member of the Alamance County Planning Committee for the Elderly, the Town of Elon Parks and Recreation Committee, and the Board of Directors of the Exchange Club Family Planning Center which runs the Child Abuse Prevention Program for Alamance County. He was also well-known as a talented woodworker who fashioned beautiful furniture and clocks as well as an outstanding gardener, both hobbies that reflect his upbringing on a farm following in the footsteps of his father.
Elmer was preceded in death by his parents, wife, and sisters, Grace Dismukes, Ruth Slack, Della Easterday, Lucy Stutts, Edna Brafford, Margaret Williams, and his brother, Oscar Brafford. He is survived by his daughter, Dr. Mary Lynn Redmond, son-in-law, Kim Redmond, grandson, Patrick Redmond of Summerfield, NC, and a sister, Bessie Black of Greensboro. Also surviving are many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews and many wonderful friends.
The family will receive friends at Rich & Thompson Funeral Home in Burlington on Sunday, August 19, 2018 from 5-7 p.m.
The family wishes to extend its gratitude to Doris Badgett, Sheila Worth, Carol Pulliam, Wanda Clegg, Antovia Boone, Sara Davis, and Tara Trollinger for their compassionate caregiving and to all the caregivers who contributed to Elmer’s life during the past few years, including his grandson, Patrick, whom he adored. The family also wants to thank the medical staff at Alamance Regional Medical Center for their excellent palliative and hospice care at the end of Elmer’s life.
Memorials may be made to Elon Community Church (UCC), P.O. Box 625, 271N. Williamson Avenue, Elon, NC or to the Hospice and Palliative Care Center of Alamance-Caswell, 914 Chapel Hill Road, Burlington, NC 27215.

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