In the early morning hours of April 30, 2024, the sun became brighter in Heaven, but our hearts will forever be broken with the loss of our patriarch of the Ruff Family, James Benjamin Ruff Sr. “Buddy,” age 88 years old.
Buddy passed peacefully at his beautiful home in Nickville, Georgia, the place he called “Heaven On Earth.” His devoted wife of 67 years, Nancie Ruff, was forever by his side.
Anything he was dealing with, she was enduring it with him. Their bond together is the true epitome of a pure everlasting love.
Along with their children and grandchildren, she was able to keep him at home during his sickness, as he wished.
He was born on a cold day in the Glade community of Oglethorpe County on Jan. 27, 1936. It was so cold that they had to line quilts around the fireplace to circle him and keep him warm.
His parents were James Clyde Ruff and Francis Mildred Ruff. Buddy has two sisters, Doris Landau of Conyers, Georgia, and Valerie Thompson of Elberton, Georgia.
Buddy graduated from Oglethorpe County High School — Class of 1954. He was baptized at Millstone Baptist Church and is still a member there.
He served in the Navy during the Korean Conflict and was stationed on the USS Hancock, a carrier. He retired from RiverEdge Granite in Elberton, where he worked alongside his boys as “QC” and “referee” in his words! He loved every minute of it.
He was an avid outdoorsman and loved fishing at his pond, alongside the beaver that he had a love-hate relationship with and a nonstop battle that still exists! His favorite sound was the chirp of bob-white quail. It gave him a smile, every time.
While in the Navy, he kept the post office busy with letters to the love of his life of 67 years, Nancie Lester Ruff.
They created a unique family, and they were his whole world. Those closest to him understood his charismatic and one-of-a-kind personality. If you knew him, you loved him, and you would know if he loved you or not.
Survivors include his beautiful wife, Nancie Lester Ruff; their children, Cindy Fulghum (David), Bentley Ruff (Christina), Robin Hendrix (Roger), Greg Ruff (Shannon), Brad Ruff and Kyle Ruff (Tami); grandchildren, Craig Fulghum (Christi), Kane Fulghum (Kara), Hunter Ruff (Kindra), Savannah Hendrix (Brandon), Ashton Jones (Blake), Anna Ruff, Olivia Bell (Andrew), Ansley Hill (Max), Zach Hendrix, Hayden Ruff (Gabby), Holten Ruff, Thatcher Hendrix, Brayley Ruff, Gantt Ruff, McKenna Ruff, Meredith Hendrix, Kylie Ruff and Kade Ruff; and great-grandchildren, Logan Fulghum, Kanyon Coulter, Charli Fulghum, Benji Ruff, Brooks Ruff, Bella Ridge Fulghum, Finley Hill, Baylor Ruff, Blakelee Ruff, Conley Bell and Locklan Jones.
A private family burial was held at the Ruff Home Place. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the charity of one’s choice.
Pruitt Funeral Home in Royston was in charge of arrangements.