LIFE  REFLECTIONS  OF  A  LEGEND

Rev. Dr. Calvin Ruffin, Sr. was born April 25, 1925 to Thomas Ruffin, Sr. and Emily May Ruffin in Leigh, Texas. He was the fourth of nine children. He found Christ and was baptized at age 17 by Pastor A. C. Horton at Antioch Baptist church, Leigh, Texas where he pastored for 42 1/2 years and later, he retired from pastoring. He served in the United States Army during WWII.

He married Girtha Pilot of Karnack, Texas April 9, 1947. After marriage, they moved to Kansas City, Missouri. Eight children were born. His wife of 65 years Girtha Ruffin and 5 children Glendra Raymond, Calvin, Jr., Alvin, James and Lacricia , his parents and siblings all preceded him in death.

Dr. Ruffin was a member of the Ruffin Brothers Gospel Quartet for years, licensed to preach August 16, 1953, and ordained September 19, 1954 in Kansas City, Missouri. He pastored True Light Baptist Church for 1 1/2 years. He was called to pastor Shiloh Baptist Church and was there 9 1/2, and he attended the Western Baptist Bible College in Kansas City, Missouri. The Antioch Baptist Church, Leigh, Texas called him to pastor in June 1972. He also pastored the St. Mark Baptist Church and Pine Bluff Baptist Church.

Rev. Dr. Ruffin was affiliated with the Texas and Louisiana Missionary Baptist Association where he served as president of the District Congress for 27 years and president of the Texas and Louisiana Ministers Conference for 4 years. He was recognized as Pastor of the Year in Atlanta, Texas for over 60 years of God's service. He was among the first to be inducted into the B. M. & E. Hall of Fame. He was recognized in Shreveport, Louisiana at the first annual lunch with legends for being a pastor over 50 years November 7, 2014.

Dr. Ruffin was a true fisherman and well known for his favorite phrase "Bless Your Heart".

He leaves to cherish his memory 3 daughters, Loretta Ruffin of Kansas City, Kansas, Rev. Emily Ruffin of Longview, Texas and Min. Evelyn Hurn (Jerome) of St. Louis, Missouri; 1 brother-in-law, Alvoid Pilot, Sr.; a host of grandchildren, great grandchildren, great, great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, family and friends.

December 14 has been declared Rev. Dr. Calvin Ruffin Day in Leigh and Marshall.