The Rev. William E. Ruffin Jr. (“Diddy”) went on to be with His Lord and Savior, after fighting Alzheimer’s for several years, on May 31, 2015, in North Carolina at the age of 67. He was born on Dec. 3, 1947, to Margaret Barnes and William Ruffin Sr., and he was raised by his grandparents, the Rev. Dr. John F. Barnes and Penelop Barham Barnes.

He graduated from John F. Kennedy High School in Suffolk in 1966.

He is survived by his wife of 35 years, Shera M. Ruffin; his children, Melissa Ruffin Stuart, Keith Ruffin, Margaret Ruffin and Rachel Ruffin Stone; three grandchildren, Bryson Lee Hebert III, Jory Williams and Jasmine Riddick; his brother, Sinclair Ruffin; and many other family members and friends.

Rev. Ruffin will be laid to rest at 11 a.m. on Tuesday at Carver Memorial Cemetery Mausoleum Chapel.

Expressions of sympathy and flowers may be extended to the family at www.cookeovertonfuneralhome.com.

Professional services are entrusted to T.E. Cooke-Overton Funeral Home Inc.