John Ruffin

RUFFIN, Mr. John - Age 86, passed away Friday, December 8, 2006 at Willowbrook Manor. Family hour 10:30AM Saturday, December 16, 2006 at Foss Avenue Missionary Baptist Church, 1159 E. Foss Ave., with funeral service commencing at 11AM. Rev. Randolph Austin officiating. Interment Gracelawn Community Cemetery, G-5710 N. Saginaw St. Friends and pallbearers will assemble at the church 10:30AM Saturday. Mr. Ruffin will lie in state in the Chapel of Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home, 906 W. Flint Park Blvd., and may be viewed from 1PM-8PM Friday. Mr. John Ruffin was born March 16, 1920 in Waskom, Texas, the son of Squire and Etheleen (Jackson) Ruffin. In 1945 relocating to Flint for its booming job opportunities. Acquiring a job with General Motors, Chevrolet Plant 2A-UAW Local #659, John retired in 1975 with 30 years of service. He was an avid hunter, who especially enjoyed the challenge of hunting raccoons at night. John loved cultivating his gardens, which included his personal garden at home and a larger one in Mt. Morris. Gardening wasn?t about making money, but a labor of love, because many of his crops were given away to various families in the Flint Area. John had one indoor hobby, which was playing checkers. His main competitors were other checker lovers who resided in the area nursing homes that he would continuously visit. John met his wife of 60 years Ollie Newhouse in 1945 and later marrying her in 1946, to this union five children was born, John H., Odell, Darlene, Velva and Norma. Mr. John Ruffin leaves to cherish his memory: beloved wife, Ollie Ruffin; children, John H. of South Carolina, Odell (Essie) Ruffin of Kalamazoo, MI, Darlene Ruffin of Flint, Velva (Henry) Pearson of Southfield, MI and Norman (Donna) Ruffin of Lansing, MI; 12 grandchildren; 4 great-grandchildren; sister, Rev. Inez Reynolds of Fort Worth, TX; brother, Clarence Ruffin of West Bloomfield, MI. The family would like to express special thanks to Willowbrook Nursing Home staff and Hartland Hospice staff for their special care of our husband and father during his stay with them.

John Ruffin

March 16, 1920 - December 8, 2006