Ricky D. Brafford, Sr.

Rick Brafford, 72, of Lynchburg, Virginia passed away on April 25, 2026. He was the son of the late Rev. William Guy Brafford and Eva Mayfield Brafford.

Rick was born on November 12, 1953, in Concord, North Carolina. He attended school at Catawba College on a football scholarship, then pursued his career in ministry, first at his father’s church, Grace Covenant of Kannapolis, North Carolina, then at his own church, The Praise Center of Nashville, Tennessee, and finally alongside Pastor Cosette Conaway of The Lighthouse Foursquare Church in Lynchburg.

Rick was a godly man and proud member of The Lighthouse. Rick loved to cook and share a meal with his friends and loved ones. He looked forward to his annual family beach trip and would spend the year in between visits to the coast planning the food he wanted to eat there. He loved music, studying his bible, spending time outdoors, painting and drawing, and watching westerns and the Tennessee Vols play. Rick never met a stranger, and he would do anything for the people he loved. He was a devoted husband to his wife, Kim, and above all, he enjoyed spending time with his family.

Rick is survived by his wife of 43 years, Kim; his children, Ricky (Sami) Brafford, Jr. of Lynchburg, Marion (Banks) Hedgepeth of Richmond, and Asher (Becca) Brafford of Lynchburg; his grandchildren, Rebecca and Olive Hedgepeth of Richmond; his siblings, Barbara (Glynn) Weatherby of Kannapolis, NC, and Dwight (Sherry) Brafford of Concord, NC; his siblings-in-law, Richard Crowell of North Carolina, and Beverly Brafford of Georgia; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

In addition to his parents, Rick is preceded in death by his siblings, William Brafford, Jr., and Sharon Crowell.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the American Heart Association.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, May 1, 2026, at The Lighthouse Foursquare Church (3301 Fort Ave, Lynchburg) at 11am with Pastor Cosette Conaway officiating. In honor of Rick’s love of food and fellowship, a lunch will be held at the church immediately after the service.

Tharp Funeral Home & Crematory, Lynchburg, is serving the family.