Debera Ruffin

Debera Ann Ruffin was born on May 27, 1953 in Seattle, Washington to Thomas Henry Ruffin, and Orean Cooper Ruffin. She was the fifth of seven children.

She attended Harrison elementary, and Meany Junior High, then graduated from Garfield High School in 1971. She was well known throughout the Seattle area as a singer, and was a member of the Choraleers at Garfield high school. Later she would travel the region as a member of various gospel singing groups, and choirs.

Debera was a deeply spiritual woman. She began her Christian experience as a child, attending Tolliver Temple C.O.G.I.C. as a child, with her mother and siblings. She accepted Christ as a young person, and although she lived all over this great country, she returned once again to Seattle, and her original church home, and family of worshipers.
She went on to attend the University of Washington, then to study electronics at Griffin Institute, something that was extremely rare in those days. That led to a 30 year career at Xerox, where she was one of a handful of women in a highly technical field.

Debera was a painter, a real estate agent, a legendary cook, and a published author. Her Children's book "Rejoice Evermore" is a delight to read.

Debera was lost to us on November 13, 2012.

She was preceded by her parents; sister Margaret, and brothers James Ruffin and Jerry Ruffin. She is survived by her daughter, DeYonda Lee; grandchildren Amaya, Austin, and Nariah; a brother, Charles Ruffin, and two sisters Tommie Ruffin, and Diana Ruffin.

She is loved, and will be missed by an army of relatives; those born to her and a host of family that she created along the way.

Debera, you will live forever in our memories and our hearts.

Visitatation will be from 9am until time of funeral service at 11am Saturday December 1, 2012 at Tolliver Temple C.O.G.I.C 1915 E Fir St. Seattle, WA 98122. Interment will be at 10am Mon. Dec. 3, 2012 at Hillcrest Burial Park in Kent, WA. Pastor Oliver J. Jenkins officiant.