Genell Ruff

Funeral services for Sister Genell E. Ruff will be conducted on Wednesday, October 24, 2018 at 12 o'clock at Pleasant Grove A. M. E. Church.  Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

 She entered into Eternal Rest on Monday, October 15, 2018.  She was born December 23, 1925, in Newberry, South Carolina. She was the daughter of the late Carrie Lee Route. Sister Genell, a retired Florist and lifelong resident of Newberry, South Carolina, was indeed one  of Newberry County’s most distinguished citizens.

She served as Chairperson of the Newberry Zoning Board of Appeals, Secretary of the Newberry County Council on Aging and an Official at Ward 6 Democratic Precinct.

She was an active member on the Local, District, Conference, Episcopal and Connectional levels of the African Methodist Episcopal church. Moreover, she was a devoted member of Pleasant Grove A.M.E. Church in Newberry, where she served unselfishly and with distinction as Chairperson Pro-Tem of the Steward Board, Class Leader, WMS President and Church Treasurer.  Additionally, she also served as Church Secretary for more than forty years. On the district level, she served faithfully as President of the Newberry District Lay Organization and Finance Committee for more than thirty years.

Mrs. Ruff was a member of the Columbia Conference WMS Nominating Committee, Torch Lighter, Life Member, Lay Organization Treasurer and Advisor as well as Trustee. In addition, she served as First Vice President of the Seventh Episcopal District Lay Organization for twenty-five years and delegate to the General Conference of the African Methodist Episcopal Church.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother, Adam Clayton Cook; and a devoted cousin, Clementine Bates.

She leaves to cherish precious memories, her son, Elder Johnny Ruff (Sharon) of Clinton, MD; a God daughter; sister, Wilma Moody-Jordan; two grandchildren, Chyno Nuygen and Chyna Nuygen; devoted cousins, Stanley Bates and Willie James Bates; devoted friends, Rev. Rosette Gallman and Mr. Gallman, Sister Joyce Gates, Rev. and Mrs. Lavern Witherspoon, Rev. Michael Simmons, Sister Loretta Moon, Mr. and Mrs. Clyde Hill, and Mr. and Mrs. Johnny Graham; and a host of other relatives and friends.

 Service Information