He was getting high so much. 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. After Terrell announced their engagement onstage, she discovered that he was already married. 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. Thank you for fulfilling this photo request. 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. David Ruffin Of The Temptations. David Ruffin could not capitalize on his first solo singles for various labels, so he shared his private pain in The Temptations' biggest hits. Flowers decorating the church included bouquets from Michael Jackson, Daryl Hall and John Oates, Diana Ross, the Spinners, and Martha Reeves and the Vandellas. Singing with his heroes onstage was the high point of my life, no doubt about it, Oates said. We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we back. Sometimes he was a fun-loving wild child in search of thrills; other times, he could turn self-destructive. Hearst Magazine Media, Inc. Site contains certain content that is owned A&E Television Networks, LLC. Share this memorial using social media sites or email. Please allow 2-3 weeks for our systems to update your request. Thanks for using Find a Grave, if you have any feedback we would love to hear from you. Industries Pop Astrological Sign: Capricorn Death Year: 1991 Death date:. Over 2,500 people attended Williams wake and funeral, including his wife and six children. Ruffin wanted to end the session early and leave with his friends, but a producer insisted that he needed to stay. Contact her at [email protected]. Oops, we were unable to send the email. Your account has been locked for 30 minutes due to too many failed sign in attempts. Learn about how to make the most of a memorial. 6am - 10am, Handbags & Gladrags By this point she suffered from blindness, hair loss, and weighed only 93 pounds (42 kg). 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. Williams described one Temptations appearance in Kentucky that ended in a hail of gunfire, as a group of white men began firing at the band as they loaded their bus, shouting racial slurs, and warning them, dont you ever come back here again!. You need a Find a Grave account to continue. Condolences to the family. 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. It was just called a bad habit. He was the lead singer for the famed-influential Motown vocal group, "The Temptations." Translation on Find a Grave is an ongoing project. He might as well have imagined walking to the moon. Connect with our staff on topics that matter to you via email or request a reprint. David Ruffin began writing songs when he was a teenager. Candi Staton saw in Ruffin a lust for life that could take different forms. He was 50. If you no longer have access to the email address you used when you set up the account, please call Customer Service or chat online with an agent by clicking on the link below, or calling Customer Service (phone number and service hours are below). In some areas weve had ongoing challenges with our newspaper delivery caused by a variety of economic factors. David, she shouted, slow down, for heavens sake!, I aint going to kill you, girl, he responded. Ruffin's big break would come in 1963 when he was chosen to replace Eldridge Bryant as tenor vocalist in the Temptations. There were hints that Ruffins future would be tumultuous. To his former bandmates, Ruffin could seem like a riddle. She was performing at a club in Detroit. 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. Remove advertising from a memorial by sponsoring it for just $5. 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. This and Ruffin's drug addiction led to several violent arguments. The email does not appear to be a valid email address. This account has been disabled. Alongside Gaye, Terrell scored several big hits, including 'Ain't No Mountain High Enough' 'Ain't Nothing Like the Real Thing' and 'You're All I Need to Get By'. On May 31 of that year, dressed in Bermuda shorts, white sneakers, and a lime-green shirt, Ruffin climbed into a gray limo that belonged to Murrell, driven by a man named Donald Brown. Kendricks, who lives in Marietta, Ga., was arrested. The song was really a metaphor for his personal struggle for a life rich and full of meaning. December 26, 2022 (74 years old) View obituary. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate, or jump to a slide with the slide dots. She was active in assistingNarcotics Anonymous and was proud of being clean from drugs for 28 years, according to Frazier. Save to an Ancestry Tree, a virtual cemetery, your clipboard for pasting or Print. As the bands popularity grew, they toured relentlessly with other Motown artists along the Chitlin Circuit, a network of clubs and theaters on the East Coast, the Midwest, and the South that were welcoming to Black performers. We reserve the right, however, to issue refunds or credits at our sole discretion. You can customize the cemeteries you volunteer for by selecting or deselecting below. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/227335426/nedra-terea-ruffin. Failed to delete memorial. Please reset your password. This is a carousel with slides. She remembers holiday dinners and birthdays drenched in laughter and filled with food. Use the links under See more to quickly search for other people with the same last name in the same cemetery, city, county, etc. Verify and try again. This browser does not support getting your location. The email does not appear to be a valid email address. RareSoul.com: Home to R&B, Doo-Wop & Soul Music. This memorial has been copied to your clipboard. The card on a bouquet from British singer Rod Stewart and his wife read, You were a great influence on me. It aint nothin but another television show, he told them. When you receive an email from us, scroll to the bottom of the email and click unsubscribe. Best Known For: David Ruffin was an American soul singer who rose to fame as one of the lead singers of the Temptations. Please enter your email address and we will send you an email with a reset password code. He was 52. We were always known as twins coming up, Cheryl Ruffin-Robinson, who's close in age to Nedra Ruffin, said of her sister. Ruffins obituary in the Detroit Free Press says that shes survived by her mother, Sandra Ruffin, a son, Clifford Pearson, and two daughters, Terea Frazier and DeAiress Frazier. In 1982, Ruffin participated in a short-lived Temptations reunion; the band quickly lost patience when he missed some of their scheduled concerts. The industry could be indifferent to stars who suffered substance abuse crises. It could have been a storybook start to a third act revival. Some content is designated for subscribers only. His mother died during childbirth, and he was raised by his father, a Baptist minister. Flowers decorating the church included bouquets from Michael Jackson, Daryl Hall and John Oates, Diana Ross, the Spinners, and Martha Reeves and the Vandellas. Photos larger than 8Mb will be reduced. Learn more about merges. Verify and try again. Ruffin died of a drug overdose last year, shortly after completing a European tour with Mr. Kendricks and another former Temptation, Dennis Edwards. Oops, some error occurred while uploading your photo(s). 1 hit, My Girl.. When he was a kid in rural Mississippi, living, for a time, in a house with no running water, he dreamed of being a famous performer. In 1965, when Gina was 8 years old, she met her uncle David for the first time. Astrological Sign: Capricorn, Death Year: 1991, Death date: June 1, 1991, Death State: Pennsylvania, Death City: Philadelphia, Death Country: United States, Article Title: David Ruffin Biography, Author: Biography.com Editors, Website Name: The Biography.com website, Url: https://www.biography.com/musicians/david-ruffin, Publisher: A&E; Television Networks, Last Updated: May 25, 2021, Original Published Date: April 2, 2014. Ruffin was arrested in the late 80s for drug possession, and went through rehabilitation. At the time, Robinson, who is married to Ruffins sister Cheryl, told the Michigan Chronicle the renaming was about honoring local history and Detroits contributions to R&B and soul music. cemeteries found within miles of your location will be saved to your photo volunteer list. Gaye's classic album What's Going On was also in part a reaction to Terrell's death. You can watch a clip of Nedra Ruffin talking about her father on Unsung below: TheGrios Stepanie Guerilus contributed to this report. He had a haunting, soulful voice, and that was an extension of his personality. Access the eNewspaper at. Nedra Ruffin, daughter of Temptations legend David Ruffin passed away on May 19 from COVID-19 complications. There is a problem with your email/password. We will continue to sell single copy print editions of the newspaper at retail outlets. Subscribers receiving the printed edition get Ad-free access to our USA TODAY Crossword puzzle! DETROIT -- Former Temptations singer Eddie Kendricks got a rude surprise when he came to Detroit for the funeral of colleague David Ruffin. About Us; Staff; Camps; Scuba. Are you sure that you want to delete this photo? She was the daughter of the late David Ruffin who at one time was lead vocalist for the Temptations ((1964-1968). Failed to delete memorial. In an episode of music documentary series Unsung, it was revealed that Terrell suffered from health, mental and physical trauma after being raped when she was a teenager on her way home from school by three boys. The Detroit resident attended Mumford High School in Detroit, and her career included modeling. The card on a bouquet from British singer Rod Stewart and his wife read, You were a great influence on me. Picture: Getty After Terrell announced their engagement onstage, she discovered that he was already married. 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. There was a problem getting your location. Peter Arthur Seitz. ). The sponsor of a memorial may add an additional. Our online site's home page, section fronts and advertising products will remain accessible to anyone, even without a subscription. Found more than one record for entered Email, You need to confirm this account before you can sign in. the Temptations most popular song, My Girl, a Motown artist who sang What Becomes of the Brokenhearted., California residents do not sell my data request. This flower has been reported and will not be visible while under review. If you have questions, please contact [emailprotected]. She also diddirect care work with hospice patients and taughtballroom dancing and hustle classes. Use the links under See more to quickly search for other people with the same last name in the same cemetery, city, county, etc. Try again later. Download theGrio today! The 58-year-old Detroiter was admitted to Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oaks on Mother's. Which memorial do you think is a duplicate of David Ruffin (2260)? 7.2K views, 67 likes, 78 loves, 106 comments, 40 shares, Facebook Watch Videos from DAVID RUFFIN JR FAN PAGE: #DAVIDRUFFIN (Whole Funeral Service) People figured you can stop a bad habit, but they dont understand addiction, said the soul singer Candi Staton, a longtime friend of Ruffins. She was bleeding, shedding blood. Are you sure that you want to report this flower to administrators as offensive or abusive? The group was already in distress over Paul Williams death. Enter the email address associated with your subscription and choose a password. You can always change this later in your Account settings. Ruffin the voice of Motown classics like My Girl died at age 50 in 1991. In the background for the first year and a half, in 1965 Ruffin took the vocal lead on hits such as "My Girl," "I Wish It Would Rain" and "Ain't Too Proud to Beg," and the band took off, appearing on American Bandstand and The Ed Sullivan Show while becoming stars on the international music scene. Your Scrapbook is currently empty. An exact digital replica of the printed edition, is available early morning. Flowers added to the memorial appear on the bottom of the memorial or here on the Flowers tab. Premium Editions are published to provide additional information and value. And Im going to miss our get-togethers.. Learn more about merges. Family members linked to this person will appear here. Weve updated the security on the site. A crowd rushed the church as the service began, and one man had his thumb severed when a door was slammed on it. The founding Temptations group member had shot himself on August 17, 1973 after an argument with his then-girlfriend. Candi Staton sometimes revisits one of her favorite memories of her old friend. 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. A relationship with another Motown star, the Philadelphia native Tammi Terrell, was shadowed by rumors of physical violence, which Ruffins family later denied. Failed to report flower. Hours later he was dropped off in front of a hospital, where he died of a drug overdose. 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. David and Jimmy Ruffin, though, had their voices. Doctors soon diagnosed a malignant tumour on the right side of her brain. TheDetroit residentattended Mumford High School in Detroit, and her career included modeling andbartending. You can cancel at any time by calling Customer Service at 1-800-332-6733. They were enabling him.. So, so many better ones. Edit a memorial you manage or suggest changes to the memorial manager. We were always known as twins coming up, said Ruffins sister, Cheryl Ruffin-Robinson. Try again later. 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. Never at ease, tall with black-rimmed glasses and continued drug use, Ruffin was a loner who died of a drug overdose in 1991 at the University of Pennsylvania Hospital. By 1969, Terrell had retired from live performances on orders by doctors and was too ill to record new music. Oops, we were unable to send the email. Please contact Find a Grave at [emailprotected] if you need help resetting your password. The Uptown Theater, on North Broad Street, was a prominent point on the circuit, an iconic part of Philadelphias Black community, and a venue where musicians could sometimes look out at an audience and see Black and white concertgoers enjoying music together. Please reset your password. Born in Shelbyville September 25, 1941, he attended Shelbyville schools for eleven . In 1967, Terrell ended their relationship after Ruffin hit her in the head with his motorcycle helmet. Ruffin fell ill after a recent trip to Las Vegas, the Detroit Free Press reports. You have chosen this person to be their own family member. I thought you might like to see a memorial for David Ruffin I found on Findagrave.com. 0 cemeteries found in Detroit, Wayne County, Michigan, USA. Nedra Ruffins father, David Ruffin, sang lead for the Temptations in the 60s and went solo in the 1970s. There is 1 volunteer for this cemetery. Her father, Quincy Ruffin, a member of the U.S. Army Special Forces, had long insisted that he had been an orphan. It was not the first time he was accused of not living up to that order. After the services, Kendricks was arrested on a warrant accusing him of failing to pay $26,000 in back child support. The two men argued, and disappeared from view. From a seat in the audience, he began to serenade her. She gave so much of herself to others. For memorials with more than one photo, additional photos will appear here or on the photos tab. 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. 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. In 1989, Ruffin was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of The Temptations. Previously sponsored memorials or famous memorials will not have this option. Smooth Breakfast with Eamonn Kelly 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. Throughout her life, Ruffin worked as a model, bartender, hospice caretaker, and a ballroom dance teacher, the Detroit Free Press reports. Oops, some error occurred while uploading your photo(s). To link your subscription, please follow the directions below: Open our app that you purchased a subscription for. David Ruffin's voice soared through numerous Motown classics like "My Girl" and "I Wish It Would Rain." Genna Sapia-Ruffin, Ruffin's ex-wife, has written a book about her life with Ruffin called A Memoir: David Ruffin-My Temptation. To access other newspapers in cities across the country, once inside your eNewspaper, simply click on the icon titled Universal on the right-side navigation bar. One night in 1963, Terrell left Brown, after he assaulted her for not watching his entire performance. Translation on Find a Grave is an ongoing project. I saw the @tvonetv #Unsung episode of Mr Ruffin feat Ms Nedra & was struck by her love for her father. Six-foot-two and lamppost skinny, his face framed by thick, dark eyeglasses, Ruffins vocal cords powered the Temptations most popular song, My Girl it went to No. According to Otis Williams, the founder and only surviving member of The Temptations original group, Ruffin was a very funny, colorful, good-natured and hard-working man when he first joined the group, but fame gave him serious ego and attitude problems and drug addiction made him a very erratic worker, which eventually led to his being fired Very sad news. Resend Activation Email. 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. Quincy tried to distance himself from the familys roots in rural Whynot, Miss. To use this feature, use a newer browser. Place classified and announcement notices or grow your business with advertising and marketing solutions. This and Ruffin's drug addiction led to several violent arguments. He moved on the block 50 years ago and he loved it so much. As manager of this memorial you can add or update the memorial using the Edit button below. 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. That same year, he was indicted on federal tax fraud charges. Ruffin had a wife, three children, and another girlfriend in Detroit. After recovering from her first surgery, she continued recording and performing live. I work on the investigations team, and narrative-driven projects. Are you adding a grave photo that will fulfill this request? The Rev. The group was already in distress over Paul Williams death. Im going to miss her loving, giving ways. Please contact Find a Grave at [emailprotected] if you need help resetting your password. Check out the best The Arizona Republic subscription offerings at. 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. Patricia A. Coby. Becoming a Find a Grave member is fast, easy and FREE. Add to your scrapbook. If you did not receive your newspaper, please report a delivery issue by visiting, As a subscriber, you can schedule temporary holds by visiting, You can update your delivery address by visiting. No animated GIFs, photos with additional graphics (borders, embellishments. 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. Alfred Orozco, 74, born on June 3, 1948, in Monterey Park, CA, United States, passed away January 19, 2023. Speakers talked about the evils of drugs, which Ruffin had battled since the 1960s. Soon after that, she was in intensive care and put on a ventilator, according to Ruffin-Robinson, who said, She never came off.. GREAT NEWS! Mr. Alfred Orozco. Ruffin, who had dealt with variousailments in recent years, began feeling ill after returning home from a recent trip to Las Vegas. David Ruffin & Eddie Kendricks - Just my imagination Ian Warren 1.5M views 8 years ago Mix - #DAVIDRUFFIN (Whole Funeral 1991) The Temptations, David Ruffin, Eddie Kendricks, and more The. Click on the settings (gear) icon in the top right corner of the screen. 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. To view a photo in more detail or edit captions for photos you added, click the photo to open the photo viewer. Ruffin died of a crack overdose June 1 at age 50. We have set your language to Ruffin died of a crack overdose June 1 at age 50. RIP Ms Ruffin. Scuba Certification; Private Scuba Lessons; Scuba Refresher for Certified Divers; Try Scuba Diving; Enriched Air Diver (Nitrox) Ruffin, 58, died May 19 at BeaumontHospital, Royal Oak as a result ofcomplications from COVID-19. Id like to thank Mayor Duggan and the city for honoring my request, because more of our legends need to be honored., Read More: 11 Black luminaries who lost their lives to COVID-19, Last week, the organization shared condolences in a tweet saying, Rest in peace to Nedra Ruffin, daughter of the legendary David Ruffin of The Temptations from the Rhythm and Blues Preservation Society.. Listen today at. Click "Create Account" and follow the instructions to make a profile. He was taken into custody after taking part in the service, and then released pending a hearing this afternoon. This obituary is part of We Will Remember, a series about those weve lost to the coronavirus. David Ruffin's anguished, gospel-bred baritone propelled The Temptations to the top of the charts in the 1960s. But his family and friends felt his achievements were diminished, when he died, by news coverage that all but blamed him for having struggled with addictions. Drag images here or select from your computer for Nedra Terea Ruffin memorial. Nedra Ruffin, daughter of Temptations legend David Ruffin passed away on May 19 from COVID-19 complications. This browser does not support getting your location. Sit back and relax!. Browse 174 david ruffin stock photos and images available, or start a new search to explore more stock photos and images. But he took me with him, and told me that the business aspect of it was not so fun. There are no volunteers for this cemetery. Our EZ Pay automatic payment program offers the convenience and security of renewing your subscription by automatic deductions from a credit card. We strive for accuracy and fairness.If you see something that doesn't look right,contact us! cemeteries found in Detroit, Wayne County, Michigan, USA will be saved to your photo volunteer list. He said the fun part was what you see [onstage].. You can enjoy daily games by visiting puzzles.usatoday.com or through the USA TODAY Crossword app available on your iPhone or Android device. Ruffin had a wife, three children, and another girlfriend in Detroit. Ruffins ability to embody the ecstasy and agony of songs about love gained and lost cast an unbreakable spell on countless admirers who once watched, slack-jawed, as he and the Temptations, and other Motown legends, dazzled crowds. As theGrio previously reported, former Temptations lead singer Bruce Williamson also passed away from COVID-19 in September 2020. Sign up for one (or all of them) today at, Get a fresh mix and perspective on the conversation of the day, putting your ears right in the center of it. The performances at the Uptown in the 1960s compelled a young Daryl Hall to finagle his way backstage, where he was befriended by his idols. We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience. Her funeral was held at the Janes Methodist Church in Philadelphia. He passed away tragically from a drug overdose in 1991 when Nedra was 27. Ruffin's funeral is scheduled for Saturday at Bethel AME. Share this memorial using social media sites or email. He wasnt interested in trying to get us to sing, she laughed. 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. He was ordered to pay her $25,000 as well as child support for their son. She gave so much of herself to others. 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. As manager of this memorial you can add or update the memorial using the Edit button below. Failed to remove flower. To many other music artists, David Ruffin's musical influence is everlasting. Thanks for your help! Read More: John Davis, real voice behind Milli Vanilli, dies from COVID-19. Offstage, Ruffin was a jumble of contradictions playful but short-tempered, ambitious but hindered by hidden demons, at a time when substance abuse and mental health were widely misunderstood. Continuing with this request will add an alert to the cemetery page and any new volunteers will have the opportunity to fulfill your request. A system error has occurred. You have chosen this person to be their own family member. 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. He moved to Philadelphia in 1989, lived with a girlfriend, Diane Showers, and palled around with Linster Butch Murrell, the owner of a small limo service. All photos appear on this tab and here you can update the sort order of photos on memorials you manage. he been using to many. David Ruffin could not capitalize on his first solo singles for various labels, so he shared his private pain in The Temptations' biggest hits. His family believes his legacy was distorted by media attention on his struggles with addiction. Year should not be greater than current year. After the services, Kendricks was arrested on a warrant accusing him of failing to pay $26,000 in back child support.