Jennie Roberts Ruffin

"And they shall be mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels" . . . Malachi 3:17 Mrs. Jennie Roberts Ruffin, sunrise February 22, 1913 to sunset August 24, 2015. She leaves 102 years of sharing life, work and faith to those left behind. She is the last of 7 children born in Midway, Woodford County, KY to James and Maggie Roberts. Jennie, widow of the late Andrew J. Ruffin, former pastor of the Jerusalem Second Baptist Church, Urbana, OH, was born Jennie Brooks Roberts to James Charles Roberts and Maggie Walker Roberts. In early childhood, she became aware of her creator’s omnipotent existence and of His saving power and as a result she was converted and baptized into the Christian fellowship of the Baptist church. Her early childhood and young adulthood were spent in Woodford and Franklin counties, Kentucky; her later years, prior to her marriage, were in Cincinnati, OH. On July 28, 1944 she was united in marriage to the Rev. Andrew J. Ruffin. The Rev. Frank L. Reynolds of Dayton, OH officiated. She united with the Jerusalem Second Baptist Church in July 1946 that was pastored by her husband until 1973; thereby identifying herself in a specific way with the church and its auxiliaries and the following organizations: The Sunday School, Missionary, Helping Hand, Wimodausis; and the National Association of College Women. She was the founder and organizer of the Wimodausis and the National Association of College Women (NACW), Urbana branch. She served in the following official capacities: Missionary secretary for 17 years; President of Missionary; Assistant Superintendent of Sunday School and Teacher in Sunday School. She has held membership in the NAACP, NACW (Urbana Chapter) and the Interdenominational Ministers Wives Alliance of Springfield, OH and vicinity. She is survived by her devoted guardian and beloved nephew-in-law Jack Couts; nephews Clark Roberts and Charles Roberts; nieces Gwendolyn Adams-Kyles, Maryilyn Hill, Cleopatra Roberts, Barbara Rutledge, Margo Collins, Sytharae Thomas, and Evelyn Wilhight; numerous great, great-great and great-great-great nephews and nieces. She was preceded in death by her husband, Rev. A.J. Ruffin; sisters, Sally James and Mary Samuels; brothers Wilson Roberts, Claude Roberts, Herbert Roberts and George Roberts. Visitation will be held at Walter & Stowe Funeral Home, Urbana, from 5-7 p.m. on Tuesday, September 1, 2015 and again from 10-11 a.m. on Wednesday, September 2, 2015 at Jerusalem Second Baptist where a service will be held at 11 a.m. with Pastor Michael Freeman officiating. In lieu of flowers please make donations to Jerusalem Second Baptist Church, 1036 S. High St., Urbana, OH 43078. Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.walterfunerals.com.

Jennie Roberts Ruffin

February 22, 1913 - August 24, 2015