Sylvester T. Ruffin, of 2 Dell Court, Windsor Mills, Md., died May 5, 2012, at Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, Md. He was laid to rest in Druid Ridge, Md., on Thursday, May 10, 2012. Born on Sept. 21, 1935, Mr. Ruffin was a member of St. Joseph Freewill Baptist Church, Baltimore.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Ocie L. Ruffin Sr. and Ruth C. Turner Ruffin; his son, Sylvester T. Ruffin Jr.; grandsons, Brad Ruffin and Shawn Ruffin; a brother, Major L. Ruffin Sr.; and his sisters, Bettie R. Ellis and Cynthia R. Bailey.

He was survived by his wife, Mrs. Jessie M. Ruffin, of Windsor Mills, Md.; one son, Stephen C. Ruffin (Pam), of Portsmouth, Va.; four daughters, Sylvia D. Hinton, of Suffolk, Va., Sabrena A. Frazier (Clemon), of Newport News, Va., Sharon L. Johnson, of Portsmouth, Va., and Keymah Yashaahla, of Suffolk, Va. Mr. Ruffin is also survived by two brothers, Wayne L. Ruffin (Glenis), of Decatur, Ga., Ocie L. Ruffin Jr. (Lucille), of Suffolk, Va.; three sisters, Barbara R. McDonald (Phillip), of Dover, Del.; Rosiland Ruffin, of Richmond, Va. and Ruth R. Banks (James), of Fredericksburg, Va.; one aunt, Mrs. Ida Morris, of Seaford, Del. He also leaves behind 10 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews and cousins.