Ms. Stella Elizabeth Ruffin Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Stella Elizabeth Ruffin, daughter of the late George Jones and Mattie Rogers Jones, was born March 30, 1925 in Brandon, Mississippi. She was the sister of Kidd, Ollie, Eva Mae, and Dora Jones, all whom have preceded her in death. As the youngest of her siblings, she earned the nickname of "Baby Stella" amongst her family and friends. At an early age, she accepted Christ as her personal Savior and became a dedicated member of True Vine Missionary Baptist Church. She was also an active member of the Heroines of Jericho until her departure. Stella attended public school at Pilgrim Rest Church. Due to the Jim Crow laws and the segregation of secondary schools in Rankin County, she moved to Meridian, Mississippi to further her education. She graduated from T. J. Harris High School in 1944. She was later joined in matrimony to Mr. Perry Ruffin of Meridian, Mississippi who preceded her in death. Stella later moved to Washington, D.C. to obtain a cosmetology license, and she then began her career as a beautician for many years in her hometown of Brandon. She was an activist in the civil rights movement in the 1960's, and she was an advocate for the education and welfare of children. She obtained an Associate of Science Degree in Early Childhood Education from Holmes Jr. College during her employment at the Friends of Children of Mississippi's Head Start program, and she retired after over 40 years of dedicated service. Stella was the secretary for the Rankin County Development, Inc. for 15 12 years, and she served on the board for over 40 years. She quietly departed this life on Monday, October 28, 2018 at St. Dominic Hospital in Jackson, Mississippi. As a result of her generous spirit and pleasant personality, she was loved by many. Her influence will forever remain in the lives of all who knew her. Her beautiful life will forever be cherished in the lives of her children: Hyrtecene (Greg) Myers and Jo Ann (Wilson) Mangum, both of Brandon, MS. One daughter, Brenda Ruffin-Myers, preceded her in death; grandchildren: Dr. Natascha (Kevin) Dow, M.D. of Houston, TX, Ciji (Christon) Dixon of Richland, MS, and Dametra Mangum of Brandon, MS; nephews and nieces: Calvin (Lena) Guyton, Marvin (Mildred) Guyton, John Earl Guyton, Lonnie (Teresa) Guyton, Jerome Guyton, and Deborah (Fredrick) Hill of Jackson, MS. One niece, Diane Mosley, preceded her in death. Four special cousins: Hyrtecene Barnes of Far Rockaway, NY, Estella Carpenter of Jackson, MS, Sammie “Peg” Smith of Brandon, MS, and Bobbie Jones of Pearl, MS, four great-grandchildren, and a host of devoted cousins and friends.

Ms. Stella Elizabeth Ruffin

March 30, 1925 - October 28, 2019