My condolences to the Ruffin/Wise family. I will always remember Debra's beautiful smile, laughter and the jokes we would tell when we walked to and from school as childhood friends. My prayers are with you during this difficult time. May God bless you all 🙏🏽 🙏🏽  🙏🏽

Debra and I met in the early  70’s when we worked together at Souza Recreation Center. That was a summer job, but Debra stayed on to have a career with the DC Department of recreation.  Debra has always been such a sweet friend to me and I was amazed that she had a twin sister who was just as beautiful and friendly. I remember when we both got our first apartments …we would visit each other. Debra got married and started her family but we always stayed in touch with each other throughout the years.  I can’t remember if Deborah knew that my middle name was Patrice, but it was an honor to me when she gave her daughter the same middle name. It’s such a small world …I ran into people  at so many different times who knew Debra. When I worked at long-term care administration, I met a cousin of hers named Brenda who was a nurse. She was very sweet and extremely dedicated to the clients she served. I also went to school with another cousin of Debra’s named Thadine  Wise.  My cousin Pat Morgan went to Eastern  with Debra and also attended  Mt. Moriah. Then to top it off, Debra eventually worked with my mother for many years in the same office on Taylor Street in the Department of recreation.  
We always had something to talk about on the phone and I will miss our conversations. Debra will always have a special place in my heart.  Love you always Debra, rest in peace, my friend..🩵

My sincerest sympathy to Debbie's family. I had the opportunity to work with her at the DC Department of Parks and Recreation. Debibie was my Administrative Assistant. She was such an asset to me in my work, leading the Office of Educational Services. She provided valuable support to me and was respected and appreciated by the staff.

THE LADIES CAME TOGETHER TO CELEBRATING THE LIFE OF MS. F. DAVIES 🙌🏾 

SAY HI & GIVE A HUGE TO MS. DAVIES, ALL THE OTHER FRIENDS & FAMILY THAT YOU ARE JOINING IN HEAVEN 🙂‍↔️

SENDING MY HEARTFELT CONDOLENCES TO THE FAMILY. 

MS. RUFFIN & I WORKED @ PARKS & REC TOGETHER FOR YEARS. THOSE WERE SOME OF THE MOST FUN TIMES! WHEN SHE WALKED INTO THE ROOM... SUNSHINE FOLLOWED HER IN. WHEN SHE SMILED... SO DID YOU, BECAUSE HER SMILES WERE CONTAGIOUS. WHEN SHE VISITED THE REC SITES, SHE WAS GREETED BY THE STAFF, AS WELL AS THE CHILDREN,  BECAUSE SHE CAME AROUND ALL THE TIME. SHE WAS A MEMBER OF EACH REC SITE FAMILY, BECAUSE SHE CARED & MADE SURE THAT WE WERE CARED FOR, ALL THE TIME.

SHE HELPED EVERYONE, WITH EVERYTHING, EVERY TIME!
WHEN SHE WAS SERIOUS OR SET OUT TO EXECUTE BEING STRERN, THE CONTAGIOUS SMILE WOULD PEEK OUT, BUT, YOU KNEW SHE MENT BUSINESS!

THERE WAS A BUZZ AROUND THE REC SITES & I AM NOT SURE IF MS. RUFFIN EVER HEARD IT OR NOT... BUT SHE WAS LOOKED AT, AS THE FACE OF PARKS & REC, BECAUSE SHE WAS WELL RESPECTED & LOVED.

A VIVID MEMORY THAT I HAVE; 
I REMEMBER OBTAINING MY DEGREE IN CHILD DEVELOPMENT & EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION WHILE WORKING AT PARKS & REC. I HAD A CONVERSATION WITH MS. RUFFIN ASKING IF IT WAS A POSITION IN EARLY CARE THAT BECOMES OPEN, TO PLEASE INFORM ME SO I CAN APPLY. SHE SAID, NO... THERE ISN'T ANY AVAILABLE. LITTLE DID I KNOW, THE WHEELS HAD ALREADY STARTED ROLLING IN THAT BEAUTIFUL HEAD OF HERS!

AT THE NEXT MEETING, SHE ASKED ME TO STAY AFTER TO TALK. SHE TOLD ME THAT SHE NEEDED ME TO FILL IN AT ANOTHER LOCATION FOR THE DAY, ON MONDAY. I ARRIVED & MET HER IN THE PARKING LOT. SHE SAID TO ME. MS. FITZHUGH. THIS IS NOT A FILL IN, IF YOU ARE SERIOUS & READY,  THIS IS YOUR NEW SITE, WORKING WITH EARLY CARE. THAT DAY, OUR WORK RELATIONSHIP BECAME SO MUCH MORE! I WOULD SAY THAT I COULDN'T BELIEVE IT,  BUT BECAUSE IT WAS DEBBIE DELIVERING THE NEWS. I TOTALLY DID! I RECEIVED IT WITH A HUGE SMILE & A BIG HUG!

EVERYONE... LET'S CONTINUE THOSE CONTAGIOUS SMILES & KEEP BRINGING IN THE SUNSHINE... EVERYWHERE WE GO! JUST AS SHE DID!

LOV YA DEBBIE {MS. RUFFIN}... REST IN PARADISE
*YOUR FORMER CO-WORKER 
*YOUR FRIEND

Sending love and prayers to Ms. Debbie’s family. She was a phenomenal woman. She was a big part of my life. I met her as a young child through my mom because they worked together. Always kind, supportive and loving. So sad to hear of your passing you will always be Auntie Debbie to me. Much love and blessings. 🙏🏽❤️💐

-Jarvon Waggoner

I want to send my heartfelt condolences to the family of Mrs. Ruffin. I was her Care Coach, and we spoke every month. She was ALWAYS the highlight of my day! I am in complete shock. I wish healing over the entire family.

I'm sitting here, feeling this immense void since you left; it all happened so fast, with hardly a chance to say goodbye. The pain in my heart is beyond words, and every single day without you feels heavier than the last. I miss you more than I can express, and it feels like a part of me is missing. Your laughter, your kindness, and all our shared memories are treasures I will hold close for the rest of my life. You'll always be in my heart. 

With all my love, your babysis
Donna

OBITUARY

Debra Darlene Ruffin

10 December, 1952 – 11 February, 2026

Fort Lincoln Funeral Home & Cemetery

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