James Oliver Ruffin 76, of Midland, Virginia was born December 31, 1946. He was the son of the late Leroy Ruffin and the late Rebecca Ann Byrd Ruffin. James was the seventh of nine children.

He was educated in the Surry and Sussex County Public School System. James was a former member of First Baptist Church in Wakefield, Virginia under the leadership of Rev. Judge Brown and he served in the junior choir.

James is a veteran of the United States Army, 82nd Airborne Regiment, Fort Bragg, North Carolina, he was a Diesel Mechanic and welder for over fifty years, and an excellent horse trainer.  James and Phyllis attended numerous Horse Shows and many Trial rides across Maryland, North Carolina, and Virginia on long extended weekends which made her very happy. James loved large gatherings of people to show off his cooking skills.

James was married to the late Phyllis Gay Ruffin for fifty-three years. From this union, three sons were born Roderick, Lamont, and the late James Oliver Jr.

James was preceded in death by his wife Phyllis Gay Ruffin, one son, James Jr." PJ": three sisters Dorothy, Emily, and Patricia, and one brother John Ruffin.

James leaves to mourn two sons, Roderick, and Lamont Ruffin, he was a proud grandfather of eleven grandchildren, and several great-grandchildren, one, god-son, three Brothers Charlie (Willie Mae) of Smithfield, VA, Haywood of Waverly, VA, Christopher (Patricia) Ruffin of Waverly, VA. One Sister Queenie (Alfred) of Brooklyn New York. Two sisters-in-law Gladys Stringfield and Louise Stith and brother-in-law Richard Gay. A host of Nephews, Nieces, Aunts, Cousins, Friends, and wonderful neighbors as a community of family as one.

A Memorial Service will be 11:00am Saturday, October 21, 2023, at The Peace Funeral Home Chapel, 237 Railroad Avenue, Waverly, Virginia, Rev. Audie Ellis, Eulogist.  Inurnment will follow at Booker T. Memorial Park, Wakefield, Virginia.