Imogene Ruffin

Imogene Woodward Ruffin was born on August 26, 1923 in Greenbrier, Arkansas, the cherished daughter of William Dewey Woodward & Lula (Gipson) Woodward.  She entered into heaven on March 14, 2024 from Shepherd of the Hills Living Center in Branson.

Imogene grew up as a farm girl in Arkansas.  She later worked as a telephone operator for Southwestern Bell during World War II and was a teacher for one year in a one-room schoolhouse but her most beloved calling was as a wife and mother.  She married Homer Floyd Ruffin on May 10, 1944 in Dewitt, Arkansas and was his loving wife for 67 years.  Twenty-two of those years were spent by Floyd’s side as he served in the United States Navy.  They moved to Missouri from Hawaii, where Floyd was last stationed.  Imogene was a loving mother and involved with her children in their schooling and activities including being a den mother in Scouts.  She was also a gifted seamstress.  She could sew anything and crafted beautiful quilts.  She made many of her family’s clothes and worked performing alterations for many shops in Branson.  Imogene was also a woman of faith.  She was a member of First Baptist Church in Branson and had also attended First Baptist in Hollister for a time.  She was active in church as a Sunday School Teacher and WMU leader.

Imogene turned 100 this past August and was able to celebrate with a party in Branson surrounded by her family and a lifetime's worth of friends.

Left to cherish her memory are her son, Bill Ruffin (Jo) of Mustang, OK; son-in-law, Bruce Merrick of Pineville, KY; brother, Billey Charles Woodward (Virginia) of Humphrey, AR; grandchildren, Heather Candler (Chase), Scott Ruffin (KayAnn), Brandon Ruffin (Noy), Chip Merrick, J.J. Merrick (Elaine), Ty Merrick (Tiffany), Susanna Klinkbeil (Graham), Monte Merrick (Rimini) and Al Merrick (Whittney); twenty-four great grandchildren with one on the way; and one great-great grandchild.

Imogene was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Floyd Ruffin; daughter, Regina Merrick; and two sisters, Modavyrl Penn and Robaleen Borman.

Graveside services will be Friday, March 22, 2024 at 2:00 p.m. in Ozarks Memorial Park Cemetery under the care of Snapp-Bearden Funeral Home & Crematory, Branson.

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