Marlene E. Ruffin

"To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven." Ecclesiastes 3:1 Today we gather to celebrate the new life into which Marlene Evelyn Ruffin has entered: an eternal life in the presence of her God and Lord, her Creator. We rejoice in the wonderful life our God gave her and know that her spirit will always be with us. A Time to Be Born...Ecclesiastes 3:2 Marlene Evelyn Johnson was born on April 30,1937in Baltimore, Maryland, to the late f Robert Powell Johnson and the late Bertha Virginia Myers Johnson. She was raised in Winchester, Va. A Time to Be Saved...St. John 3:3 At an early age, Marlene joined St. Paul A.M.E.Church in Winchester, VA, where she sang in the Youth Choir. She remained a life-long member. A Time to Be Trained ...Proverbs 22:6 Marlene was a 1955 graduate of Fredrick Douglass High School in Winchester, VA.She then graduated from the St.Philip School of Nursing in Richmond, VA,with an R.N. degree, and began a life-long career taking caring for others. A Time to Love...Ecclesiastes 3:8 On January 15,1961,Marlene married the love of her life, Christopher M. Ruffin, Jr.,to whom she remained happily married until her passing. Over the course of their 54-year marriage, Chris and Marlene demonstrated the beauty, power, and strength of a strong, loving union. Their loving bond was evident throughout their marriage: on such joyous occasions as their 50th Anniversary cruise and their Vow Renewal Ceremony, during trying times such as Marlene's struggle with illness and chemotherapy, and in ordinary, every-day life.The home that they made and the life that they built together brought warmth, joy, and laughter-always laughter-to everyone fortunate enough to be around them. A Time to Labor...Genesis 3:19& St. Matthew 20:25-28 In 1959,after graduating from St.Philip, Marlene worked with the Visiting Nurse Association and at Provident Hospital, where all three of her sons were born. From 1967 until her retirement in 1995,she worked as an Occupational Health Nurse at the Social Security Administration, where she rose to the rank of Deputy Chief of Nursing. Retirement merely enabled Marlene and Chris to begin the second chapter of their life together. Having spent the vast majority of her adult life in Baltimore, Marlene suddenly became a world traveler, visiting the four corners of the globe by land, sea, and air. Whether they were driving cross-country to California, cruising to Alaska, bouncing around Europe, or touring the South Pacific,Marlene and Chris took their show on the road, making new friends wherever they went. A Time to Plant...Ecclesiastes 3:2 Marlene and Chris raised their three sons--Rod, Chris, and Jay-with a mixture of love, discipline, and humor, nurturing their dreams, securing their educations, and guiding and supporting them into adulthood. Despite being the only woman in that dominantly-male household, and being a foot shorter than everyone-including the various family dogs-Marlene still "ruled the roost." When their three grandchildren-Alaina, Alexandra, and Jayden- blessed Marlene's and Chris' lives, they were the first to visit "The Grands" in the hospital after their births. With a well-stocked refrigerator, toy box, sand box, and water pistols, Nana and Pop-Pop made their home a place where Lainie, Lexi,and felt as comfortable, safe, and loved as in their own homes - with lots fewer rules! While Marlene maintained many strong, long-term bonds with family members and friends, she enjoyed meeting new people and fostering new friendships as well. The many people that she met throughout her illness - medical staff, caregivers, hospital room-mates - became a part other extended family. Despite having so much other life in the role of caretaker, Marlene adjusted to the rigors other own care with dignity and grace, owing in large measure to the excellent care which her life partner provided to the very end. A Time to Die; A Time of Peace...Ecclesiastes 3:2& 9:12 Marlene transitioned to her eternal life and home on Saturday, February 14,2015.She leaves behind to cherish her memory a host of family, extended family, and friends: her loving, devoted husband of54years, Christopher M. Ruffin, Jr.;her sons Rodney, Christopher III,and James; two daughters-in-law, Dawn Ruffin and Teresa Ruffin;her three grandchildren, Alaina Ruffin, Alexandra Ruffin, and [ayden Ruffin, three sisters- in-law, RebeccaJones, Carlotta Moore and Katherine Ruffin; two god-daughters, Treva Oxendine and Monica Eason; numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, and grand-nieces and nephews; and many girlfriends. A host of many other dear relatives and friends also mourn her passing and celebrate her wonderful life and home going. While we mourn our loss, we are grateful for the time that we had with our dear Marlene. Whoever she was to you--"Marlene", "Mom", "Nana", "Aunt Marlene", "Sister", "Ev", or "Pat", she left an indelible impression on our lives.

Tributes

Marlene E. Ruffin

April 30, 1937 - February 14, 2015