Floyd Ruff

WHITTIER - Floyd "Lloyd" Lee Ruff, 92, passed away peacefully Sunday, May 25, 2025, at Mission Hospital after a short illness. Floyd, or Papaw Ruffie, as he was most recently known, was born Nov. 1, 1933 in Whittier. He is preceded in death by his mother, Julia Ann Watson Ruff; brothers, Jim Ruff, George Ruff, Frances Ruff and Mary Burleson; wife, Esther Moye Ruff; sons, Floyd Ruff Jr., William "Billy" Ruff, and Bill Moye.
He is survived by his daughter, Annette (Joe) Hawkins; daughter-in-law, Jan Moye; sister, Nell (Max) McLeod; grandchildren, Tammy, Stacy and Matt, Kristin; great-grandchildren, Alexis, AJ "Ally", Addi, Alyvia, Alizabeth, Natalie, Malakai, Scarlett and Audrey; special nephew and neighbors, Rusty "Robbie"; great-niece, Erin; as well as many other close family and friends.
Lloyd served in the US Army in the 1940s, and most recently retired from the Great Smoky Mountains National Park Service. He worked in locations such as Clingman's Dome and Deep Creek. He loved gardening, watching old westerns and visiting his sister Nell in Florida. He was a crafter of everything from moonshine to chow chow over his lifetime. He loved a poke salad, kilt spring lettuce, collard greens and Granny's biscuits which pinto beans and hot chow chow.
A memorial service was held Wednesday, May 28 at 2 p.m., with a receiving of friends held prior to the service at 1 p.m., at Appalachian Funeral Home in Sylva. Reverend Robert Hawkins officiated. Burial followed the service at the Old Whittier Cemetery where he will be laid to rest with his mother, brothers and sons.