He is survived by his loving wife Dorothy Owens-Whitehurst, daughter Staci Whitehurst-Boakye and son Kelle Whitehurst, son-in-law Ernest Boakye and grandson Myles Cole Boakye.
A visitation for Rufus will be held Friday, March 7, 2025 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at McAulay & Wallace Mortuary, 902 N. Harbor Blvd., Fullerton, CA 92832. A funeral service will occur Saturday, March 8, 2025 at 10:00 AM at Second Baptist Church, 4300 Westminster Ave, Santa Ana, CA 92703.