Grace Marian Boyd Ruff

Grace Boyd Ruff, age 99, passed away on December 16, 2020. She was preceded in death by her husband Rev. William H. Ruff, and son Dr. Boyd Henry Ruff. She was survived by daughters Dianne Morrison (Pat), Carol Messina (Bill), Pam Perchik (Joel) and son Bill Ruff, Jr. (Betty). She dearly loved her 15 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren.

Grace was born in Milton County, Georgia on a cold February day, the country doctor assisted by her grandmother. She was the youngest of three children of Eula and Leonard Boyd. In her early life she knew the deprivation of the Great Depression. Grace did her share on the farm and once won and 8th grade beauty contest and brought home the prize, a basket of groceries. In the 10th grade she was president of the class and later was a speaker at graduation.

Like her brother Carroll and her sister Lee, Grace attended college. She finished GSCW with a BS in education. On December 8, 1941, while student teaching, Grace marched her class to the auditorium to hear FDR address the country. At Lawrenceville and Roswell, Grace taught home economics. Teaching friends introduced her to a dynamic, young minister, Bill Ruff, who was to be her husband for 69 years.

Grace led a rich but demanding life as a United Methodist minister's wife. She was frequently in the shadow of her gifted husband, but she performed the role of wife and mother with sincere devotion. She made every house, from trailer to two-story brick, a home. She was calm and mindful and presented a model of virtue and compassion for her five children. The kitchen was the center of the Ruff household, and there, Grace nourished her family with fine Southern food and lessons for living.

Grace was kind, tolerant and understanding, but clear on the questions of values and responsibility. She was the image of humility and love. Her force for goodness is evident in the impact on her family. As Grace's mother would say she "strowed" the world with social workers, a minister, teachers, doctors, upstanding business men and women and university and nonprofit workers. Her life is over but the ripples continue.

The family would like to thank the staff of Mulberry Grove for their tireless and compassionate service. In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made to the charity of your choice.

Graveside services will be private.

Bernstein Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.