Jessie J. Ruff

Jessie J. Ruff
Alton - Jessie J. Ruff passed away suddenly on July 7, 2021 at St. Anthony's Hospital. He was born to Cornelious Ruff, Sr. and Martha Willis Ruff in Plantersville, Mississippi. His stepmother, Dessie Mabrey Ruff was also very instrumental in his life. His younger life was shaped and developed in Plantersville and Tupelo MS.
He was known as a meticulous man and dapper dresser. He shared his passion of hunting with church Deacon, the late Tom
Caffey as they traveled to buy dogs for coon hunting.
He loved to cook and was skilled in cooking soul food and wild game meat. His family and friends raved about his recipe for iced tea. He was known to utilize his pickup truck for friends and neighbors errands, appointments and hauling household goods.
He was preceded by his parents and stepmother former wife Doris Edwards Ruff children; Debbie Ruff and Tracey Ruff. Siblings; brothers Glenn and Cecil. Sisters; Ora Lee Young, Lily Bell Ruff, Louise Ruff, Bertha Mae Gaither and his Aunt and Uncle Callie Mae and John Cole.
He leaves to treasure his memory and mourn his passing his children; Dana Ruff Williams(Tyrone) of Dallas, TX, Dinah Ruff of Flint MI and Anthony Ruff of Grand Rapids, MI, sisters Helen Edwards (Herron),
Mary Ann Gordon; Kansas City Kansas, Merry Jo Ruff of Kansas City, MO. His brother Cornelious "Neal" Ruff, Jr. (Mary) of Kansas, City MO. His Uncle; Percy Willis (Betty) of Indio, CA. His former wife and caregiver Jacquelyn-Vander Ruff Wood River Illinois his best friend Johnnie Everage of Alton Illinois and a goddaughter Keisha Brown of Belleville Illinois a host of grandchildren great-grandchildren nieces nephews cousins friends and his church family.
Visitation Saturday July 24, 2021 from 9:00 a.m. until 10:00 a.m. at Greater St. James Baptist Church 2016 Belle Street Alton, IL 62002
Burial to follow at Upper Alton Cemetery in Alton, Illinois.