based on information from your browser. Three of the surviving Temptations, Melvin Franklin, Eddie Kendricks and Otis Williams, were among 2,500 people who packed New Bethel Baptist Church on Monday for Ruffin's funeral. Of particular interest was whether someone had robbed Ruffin, who had recently toured with Kendricks and another ex-Temptation, Dennis Edwards; one of Ruffins managers suggested he could have carried as much as $40,000 on him the night he died, but he arrived at the hospital with just $53. After Terrell announced their engagement onstage, she discovered that he was already married. To use this feature, use a newer browser. His tenure with the Temptations ended abruptly, in 1968, when the group fired him for skipping one of their concerts; Ruffin had opted instead to watch one of Dean Martins daughters sing at the Latin Casino, in Cherry Hill. Home. Ruffin is survived by her mother, Sandra Ruffin; a son, Clifford Pearson, anddaughters, Terea Frazier andDeAiress Frazier;six grandchildren;sisters Cheryl Ruffin-Robinson (Lamont)and Kimberly Mone Ruffin Jones,and a brother, David Ruffin, Jr. Due to complications of her brain cancer, by early 1970 Terrell was confined to a wheelchair. This flower has been reported and will not be visible while under review. Please try again later. Try again. Weve updated the security on the site. Failed to delete memorial. As a solo artist, Ruffin found occasional success, but he experienced a hard road, dying of a cocaine overdose two years after he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. We strive for accuracy and fairness.If you see something that doesn't look right,contact us! To add a flower, click the Leave a Flower button. From a seat in the audience, he began to serenade her. Best Known For: David Ruffin was an American soul singer who rose to fame as one of the lead singers of the Temptations. Even if most of it sounds like Temptations B-Sides, they're still like B-Sides from the David Ruffin-Temptations era, that . John Davis, real voice behind Milli Vanilli, dies from COVID-19, 11 Black luminaries who lost their lives to COVID-19, Nedra Ruffin, daughter of the Temptations David Ruffin, dies from COVID-19, Thailand's 'most beautiful transgender woman' and husband wear $580K in attire at extravagant wedding, Desperate mountain residents trapped by snow beg for help; 'We are coming,' sheriff says, U.S. court won't require FAA to make airplane seat size, spacing rules, Convicted killer Alex Murdaugh's new mugshot revealed after double life sentence, Rebel Wilson says she was banned from Disneyland for 30 days for taking a bathroom selfie, SoCal in for cool start to weekend, but light rain makes brief return, Several metro Detroit schools dismiss early due to winter storm, Detroit Tigers get power from Zack Short vs. Yankees, doubleheader sweep in two cities, Macron says era of French interference in Africa is 'over'. Despite her optimism, her tumour worsened, and needed more surgeries. English Continuing with this request will add an alert to the cemetery page and any new volunteers will have the opportunity to fulfill your request. True Crime: Murdered and Missing. You are nearing the transfer limit for memorials managed by Find a Grave. Try again. But success was fleeting, and Ruffin dropped out of the music business for three years, emerging in 1975 with a top 10 single ("Walk Away From Love") and a few minor hits. You may not upload any more photos to this memorial, This photo was not uploaded because this memorial already has 20 photos, This photo was not uploaded because you have already uploaded 5 photos to this memorial, This photo was not uploaded because this memorial already has 30 photos, This photo was not uploaded because you have already uploaded 15 photos to this memorial. His mother died during childbirth, and he was raised by his father, a Baptist minister. She also diddirect care work with hospice patients and taughtballroom dancing and hustle classes. Peter Arthur Seitz. Resend Activation Email. Crying in tune, thats how I hear Davids voice, Hall said during a recent interview. There are so many better David Ruffin songs out there. She died on March 16, a month before her 25th birthday. Candi Staton saw in Ruffin a lust for life that could take different forms. Oops, something didn't work. Close this window, and upload the photo(s) again. If you notice a problem with the translation, please send a message to [emailprotected] and include a link to the page and details about the problem. 7.2K views, 67 likes, 78 loves, 106 comments, 40 shares, Facebook Watch Videos from DAVID RUFFIN JR FAN PAGE: #DAVIDRUFFIN (Whole Funeral Service) Our EZ Pay automatic payment program offers the convenience and security of renewing your subscription by automatic deductions from a credit card. We who are left behind must not just clap our hands and weep and mourn, for he is out of trouble - you are still in it, said Nation of Islam leader the Rev. He had a haunting, soulful voice, and that was an extension of his personality. However, Simpson claimed that the ailing Terrell was brought into the studio when she was strong enough to record over Simpson's guide vocals. Download our app through your apple or google play store to personalize your news alerts, swipe and scroll through stories faster, and bookmark them to save and read later. Im going to miss her loving, giving ways. He was taken into custody after taking part in the service, and then released pending a hearing this afternoon. Whynot, Lauderdale County, Mississippi, USA, Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania, USA. Please reset your password. The industry could be indifferent to stars who suffered substance abuse crises. The Rev. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/2260/david-ruffin. Ruffins upbringing had been rooted in pain, something his niece, Gina Ruffin Moore, discovered when she was a little girl, living in Fort Bragg, N.C. A street in Meridian, Mississippi, was also renamed David Ruffin Boulevard in October2019. DETROIT (AP) _ David Ruffins old partners in the Temptations got a tearful standing ovation at the Motown singers funeral with a three-man rendition of the groups first No. You have chosen this person to be their own family member. It could have been a storybook start to a third act revival. He was 50. There is 1 volunteer for this cemetery. Try again later. The post Nedra Ruffin, daughter of the Temptations David Ruffin, dies from COVID-19 appeared first on TheGrio. The two men argued, and disappeared from view. Beloved Father and GrandfatherOne of the World's Greatest EntertainersHis Lyrics and Singing Touched the Hearts of ManyMemories Cherished By Cheryl, Nedra, Kimberly, David Jr. And Grandchildren We Love YouIn God's Care, Thank you for fulfilling this photo request. Use the links under See more to quickly search for other people with the same last name in the same cemetery, city, county, etc. Flowers decorating the church included bouquets from Michael Jackson, Daryl Hall and John Oates, Diana Ross, the Spinners, and Martha Reeves and the Vandellas. Each edition explores different subjects such as travel, food, technology, and much more, Newsletters can be sent right to your inbox! He was ordered to pay her $25,000 as well as child support for their son. Three of the surviving Temptations, Melvin Franklin, Eddie Kendricks and Otis Williams, were among 2,500 people who packed New Bethel Baptist Church on Monday for Ruffins funeral. After recovering from her first surgery, she continued recording and performing live. @thetemptations is 1 of my fav old skool groups, & I love the voice of her dad & former Temps lead singer #DavidRuffin. Existing subscribers can sign up for EZ Pay by visiting, Subscribers can update their payment method online by visiting. An email has been sent to the person who requested the photo informing them that you have fulfilled their request, There is an open photo request for this memorial. She was the daughter of the late David Ruffin who at one time was lead vocalist for the Temptations ((1964-1968). Murrell remembers watching Ruffin sometimes disappear into properties to buy drugs. He resided in Casa Grande, AZ at the time of his passing . The Ruffins mother died when David was a baby, and their father, Eli Ruffin, later forced the siblings to become a singing group the Spiritual Trying Four. The email does not appear to be a valid email address. Click on the settings (gear) icon in the top right corner of the screen. He taught me how to drive, took me to get my license, and taught us how to ride horses, Cheryl Ruffin-Robinson said. Connect with our staff on topics that matter to you via email or request a reprint. An undoubted talent, we can only imagine what she may have gone on to do if she had been better luck in her personal life and health. Much of the ensuing news coverage treated the details of Ruffins death salaciously. Obituary. Subscribers receiving the printed edition get Ad-free access to our USA TODAY Crossword puzzle! Robert Palmer Metz. Are you sure that you want to report this flower to administrators as offensive or abusive? All Rights Reserved. He wasnt interested in trying to get us to sing, she laughed. Candi Staton sometimes revisits one of her favorite memories of her old friend. For information regarding what you are being charged, please visit, Premium Editions are an additional section of your newspaper with 12 to 20 full color pages of in-depth coverage of the topics that matter most to our subscribers. Share this memorial using social media sites or email. Thanks for using Find a Grave, if you have any feedback we would love to hear from you. If you no longer remember the password, try clicking on the Forgot password link on the sign in page to trigger an email with a link to reset your password. He was born in Whynot, Mississippi, to a family who had a little musical group called "The Spiritual Living Four." Ruffin's relationship with The Temptations was a stormy one, but the marriage produced . Nancy Mouradian, a Wayne County sheriffs department spokeswoman, said the singer was notified before the funeral that sheriffs deputies had a warrant for his arrest. Hearst Magazine Media, Inc. Site contains certain content that is owned A&E Television Networks, LLC. Robert Palmer Metz, 81 years of age, passed away at home, Dec. 13, 2022 in San Manuel, AZ. Her funeral was held at the Janes Methodist Church in Philadelphia. Your Scrapbook is currently empty. Pasadena funeral home David Ruffin Funeral david ruffin Davis Eli "David" Ruffin (January 18, 1941 - June 1, 1991) was an American soul singer and musician most famous for his work as one of the lead singers of the Temptations from 1964 to 1968 (or the group's "Classic Five" period as it Access the eNewspaper at. The founding Temptations group member had shot himself on August 17, 1973 after an argument with his then-girlfriend. And that becomes your life. Non-subscribers will have access to limited content. She starts to sing the same words that he did slowly, carefully, like someone unfolding an old letter that might crumble. According to ex-wife, Genna Sapia-Ruffin, pop star Michael Jackson contributed $7000 to David Ruffin's funeral. Very sad news. The Rev. David Ruffin began writing songs when he was a teenager. Quincy tried to distance himself from the familys roots in rural Whynot, Miss. He moved on the block 50 years ago and he loved it so much. He fed it to his dog, and asked his surprised hosts: You got any baby food? David Ruffin then tucked into a jar of baby peaches, and quietly explained that he was plagued by an ulcer. Motown Records founder Berry Gordy Jr. had begun assembling an impossibly deep roster of performers and songwriters Smokey Robinson, Diana Ross and the Supremes, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, the Jackson Five who would change popular music forever. The card on a bouquet from British singer Rod Stewart and his wife read, You were a great influence on me. Ruffin missed the first three shows of the tour, however, as his old partying ways had returned with a vengeance. RareSoul.com: Home to R&B, Doo-Wop & Soul Music. And Im going to miss our get-togethers.. Brendel Hightower is an assistant editorat the Detroit Free Press. In 1979, he joined Warner Bros. after leaving Motown, but instead of a new beginning, it marked the beginning of the end for Ruffin. David ruffin funeral. After her eighth and final operation on January 21, 1970, Terrell went into a coma. Edit a memorial you manage or suggest changes to the memorial manager. Throughout her life, Ruffin worked as a model, bartender, hospice caretaker, and a ballroom dance teacher, the Detroit Free Press reports. Hall and John Oates invited Ruffin and Eddie Kendricks, another former Temptation, to join them onstage at John F. Kennedy Stadium during Live Aid, where the 89,484 people in attendance greeted the former Motown greats with thunderous applause. The Temptations soon reached a higher plane, the stage that Ruffin had fantasized gracing when he was still in Mississippi. Premium Editions are published to provide additional information and value. By his mid-20s, Ruffin was the most electric member of the Temptations, and a regular presence in North Philadelphias Uptown Theater, where 2,000 or so fans often squeezed into the theaters Art Deco contours to hear the bands lush harmonies, their arms and legs a blur of matching suits and flawless choreography. But David Ruffin could sing like a hurricane, and possessed an innate sense of how to connect with people, how to make them smile and laugh and feel what he felt. David Ruffin was an American soul singer who rose to fame as one of the lead singers of the Temptations. On stage, he developed into a real showman, and his act drew attention from both gospel crowds and secular-music professionals. If you have a family member or close friend who has died from COVID-19 and you would like to share their story, please visit our memorial wall and select Share a story.. DETROIT (AP) _ David Ruffin's old partners in the Temptations got a tearful standing ovation at the Motown singer's funeral with a three-man rendition of the group's first No. This account has been disabled. It was claimed that Valerie Simpson had to step in for Terrell for her third album with Gaye, Easy. Please contact Find a Grave at [emailprotected] if you need help resetting your password. Robinson soon wrote a tune with Ruffin in mind, something slow and sweet. Thanks for your help! Try again later. This and Ruffin's drug addiction led to several violent arguments. RIP Ms Ruffin. Ruffin was a key player in getting the street where her fathers Detroit home is located renamed David Ruffin Avenue in 2019, according to Lamont Robinson, founder of the National Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame. Save to an Ancestry Tree, a virtual cemetery, your clipboard for pasting or Print. Ruffin ventured inside, and somehow got his hands on a microphone. Ruffin died of a crack overdose June 1 at age 50. Always get more of the story, breaking news and unlimited access to videos, photo galleries, databases of public documents, and more available on your desktop, mobile devices, and our mobile app. We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience. She was performing at a club in Detroit. Learn more about merges. Speakers talked about the evils of drugs, which Ruffin had battled since the 1960s. Nedra Ruffin, daughter of the late R&B singer David Ruffin ofthe Temptations, was described as a loving, kind, sweet individual with a heart of gold. To view a photo in more detail or edit captions for photos you added, click the photo to open the photo viewer. David Ruffin Collapsed at Crack House, blared one headline from the Washington Post; Overdose Called Massive: He Must Have Built Up Strong Tolerance in Past, Doctor Says, read another, from the Philadelphia Daily News. By this point she suffered from blindness, hair loss, and weighed only 93 pounds (42 kg). Please reset your password. Include gps location with grave photos where possible. The group was already in distress over Paul Williams death. Ruffin and Kendricks also joined Hall and Oates at the Live Aid concert in Philadelphia. Otis Williams, the last surviving original Temptation, once recalled that Ruffin was a lively, funny guy prone to doing cartwheels while they walked down the street, who offered little about his background, no matter how much time the two spent together. Sit back and relax!. Ruffin has two sisters, Cheryl Ruffin-Robinson and Kimberly Ruffin Jones, who the singer had with his wife, Sandra, and a brother, David Ruffin Jr. 1 hit, My Girl.. Its so sad, she said, how people can zero in on one negative thing about your life. Robert Smith, pastor of New Bethel, called for a return to the kind of music that made black women feel good about black men., Among the Temptations other hits with Ruffin were Aint Too Proud to Beg, I Wish it Would Rain and Im Losing You.. Her siblings are Cheryl, Kimberly and David Ruffin, Jr. She was the niece of legendary Jimmy Ruffin who had a big hit with Motown, What Becomes of the Broken Hearted. You can cancel at any time by calling Customer Service at 1-800-332-6733. She gave so much of herself to others. No animated GIFs, photos with additional graphics (borders, embellishments. There is 1 volunteer for this cemetery. Place classified and announcement notices or grow your business with advertising and marketing solutions. Previously sponsored memorials or famous memorials will not have this option. GREAT NEWS! A system error has occurred. Please check your email and click on the link to activate your account. If you are a new subscriber and started your subscription with a promotional rate, your subscription rate does increase after the promotional period has ended. In these instances, we have partnered with the local United States Postal Service. Oops, something didn't work. It wasnt called a disease. Sometimes there are unexpected delays due to production problems or adverse weather conditions. Found more than one record for entered Email, You need to confirm this account before you can sign in. She was active in assistingNarcotics Anonymous and was proud of being clean from drugs for 28 years, according to Frazier. You need a Find a Grave account to continue. Ruffin had made a compelling case for the position after he climbed onstage with the band in a Detroit lounge, and began throwing the microphone up in the air, catching it, doing full splits, plus singing like a man possessed, Williams wrote. The singer had four children a son, David, and daughters Cheryl, Nedra, and Kimberly who saw him in a different light. Resend Activation Email. January 9, 2023 (56 years old) View obituary. Paul Williams is buried in Lincoln Memorial Park in Detroit, Michigan. cemeteries found in will be saved to your photo volunteer list. Joining several groups in succession, Ruffin toured with the Womack Brothers, the Staple Singers and the Dixie Hummingbirds (all gospel groups). Please complete the captcha to let us know you are a real person. But theres something else, too, a gnawing sense that Ruffins legacy was shortchanged by media narratives that focused more on his flaws, and the way in which he died, than his talents. Flowers added to the memorial appear on the bottom of the memorial or here on the Flowers tab. Nedra Ruffin, daughter of Temptations legend David Ruffin passed away on May 19 from COVID-19 complications. Nedra Ruffin, daughter of Temptations legend David Ruffin passed away on May 19 from COVID-19 complications. If you receive your print edition via the US Postal Service, your print edition will be delivered with your daily mail service. Few glimpsed such vulnerability in Detroit, where Ruffin tried to make it as a solo artist in the early 1960s. The 58-year-old Detroiter was admitted to Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oaks on Mother's. We will review the memorials and decide if they should be merged. When the crack cocaine epidemic surged in the 1980s, government leaders responded with tactics that disproportionately criminalized and punished people who had addictions, particularly in Black communities. People figured you can stop a bad habit, but they dont understand addiction, said the soul singer Candi Staton, a longtime friend of Ruffins. Thanks for using Find a Grave, if you have any feedback we would love to hear from you. No animated GIFs, photos with additional graphics (borders, embellishments. Try again later. Resend Activation Email, Please check the I'm not a robot checkbox, If you want to be a Photo Volunteer you must enter a ZIP Code or select your location on the map. He wanted to get back to what life was really all about, his niece said. In 1982, Ruffin participated in a short-lived Temptations reunion; the band quickly lost patience when he missed some of their scheduled concerts. Oops, we were unable to send the email. David Ruffin, Eddie Kendricks and The Temptations' musical director Cornelius Grant were leaving the funeral, when they were robbed. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate, or jump to a slide with the slide dots. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/227335426/nedra-terea-ruffin. The 58-year-old Detroiter was admitted to Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oaks on Mothers Day after facing health challenges in recent years. He didnt write those songs, but he owned them. They blamed the person, instead of the disease.. He is a disc jockey based in Detroit, Michigan whose on-air journey of musical and social development shaped a generation of music-lovers in Detroit and throughoute southeastern Michigan and Canada. His brother Jimmy also signed with Motown records and had breakout song with "What Becomes of the Brokenhearted.". Edward James Kendrick (December 17, 1939 - October 5, 1992), better known as Eddie Kendricks, was an American tenor singer and songwriter.Noted for his distinctive falsetto singing style, Kendricks co-founded the Motown singing group the Temptations, and was one of their lead singers from 1960 until 1971.He was the lead voice on such famous songs as "The Way You Do the Things You Do", "Get . Biography and associated logos are trademarks of A+E Networksprotected in the US and other countries around the globe. The bandits who robbed David Ruffin, Eddie Kendricks in Cornelius Grant was never apprehended. The way they sang moved me, like probably nobody ever has., When Oates was 19, he and Hall had watched the Temptations from front-row seats at the Apollo, and met the towering Ruffin in a backstage stairwell. Started by SunKissWanderer. Failed to report flower. Edit a memorial you manage or suggest changes to the memorial manager. GREAT NEWS! Cheryl Ruffin-Robinson said her family has long believed that there was foul play involved in her fathers death, and many questions they have about his final hours are still unanswered. Translation on Find a Grave is an ongoing project. 1 hit, ''My Girl.'' Three of the surviving Temptations, Melvin Franklin, Eddie Kendricks and Otis Williams, were among 2,500 people who packed New Bethel Baptist Church on Monday for Ruffin's funeral. Nedra Ruffin, daughter of the late R&B singer and Meridian native David Ruffin of the Temptations, was described as loving, kind, sweet individual with a heart of gold. Search instead in Creative? Make sure that the file is a photo. TheGrio is now on Apple TV, Amazon Fire, and Roku. Are you sure that you want to report this flower to administrators as offensive or abusive? I dont want to get too hippy-dippy about it, but I felt like I was out of my body., They repeated the experience at Live Aid, and then Oates produced a song, One More for The Lonely Hearts Club, that Ruffin and Kendricks recorded for a 1987 album. Your account has been locked for 30 minutes due to too many failed sign in attempts. Tammi left him because she didn't want her butt whipped.". 1 hit, My Girl.. Later that year, the group had their first hit, the Smokey Robinson-penned single The Way You Do the Things You Do. When Ruffin was told that the song was climbing the Billboard charts, he burst into tears. Weve updated the security on the site. Here is her story: Tammi Terrell was an American singer, best known as one of the leading stars for Motown Records during the 1960s, and for her duets with Marvin Gaye. The reaction of his solo recording "My Whole World Ended (The Moment You Left Me)" in 1969 suggested a solo star was born. Have you subscribed to theGrios new podcast Dear Culture? This browser does not support getting your location. Verify and try again. Louis Farrakhan. So, so many better ones. Become a subscriber, manage account information, change payment or delivery details. Year should not be greater than current year. Family members linked to this person will appear here. Genna Sapia-Ruffin, Ruffin's ex-wife, has written a book about her life with Ruffin called A Memoir: David Ruffin-My Temptation. RIP Ms Ruffin. I thought you might like to see a memorial for David Ruffin I found on Findagrave.com. David Ruffin, reconsidered: 30 years after the Temptations singer's death in Philly, a look at his complicated legacy Ruffin the voice of Motown classics like "My Girl" died at age 50 in 1991. There was an error deleting this problem. The eNewspaper allows you to turn pages, save and download articles, solve puzzles, listen to articles read aloud, and more! At age 17, Ruffin was briefly signed to Chicago's Chess Records before moving to Detroit, where he met Berry Gordy, the founder of Motown Records. Oops, some error occurred while uploading your photo(s). The 58-year-old Detroiter was admitted to Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oaks on. Thanks for your help! Quickly see who the memorial is for and when they lived and died and where they are buried. Best Known For: David Ruffin was an American soul singer who rose to fame as one of the lead singers of the Temptations. Kendricks, who lives in Marietta, Ga., was arrested. Your Scrapbook is currently empty. Ruffin was offered a barbecued steak. Nedra also leaves to cherish her memories, her mom and 3 children. You are only allowed to leave one flower per day for any given memorial. But Ruffin also reached out to his brother Quincy in 1991, and suggested they go back to Mississippi, and walk along a lake together, their feet in the sand. Close this window, and upload the photo(s) again. I saw the @tvonetv #Unsung episode of Mr Ruffin feat Ms Nedra & was struck by her love for her father. Remove advertising from a memorial by sponsoring it for just $5. Speakers talked about the evils of drugs, which Ruffin had battled since the 1960s. You need a Find a Grave account to continue. Thousands attended his funeral in Detroit, a send-off that said more about Ruffin, and what his music meant to people, than any of the headlines about his death.