Harland "Elward" Ruffin

Harland “Elward” Ruffin, resident of Austin, went home to be with the Lord on August 4, 2012 at the age of 86. He was born on July 23, 1926 in West Point, Mississippi and was the son of Charlie and Grace Ruffin.

In 1944, upon graduating from Pittsburg High School, Pittsburg, Texas, Elward was drafted into the US Army to fight for his country in World War II. He served in Okinawa where he battled for the occupation of the island. After returning to the states, he attended the University of Texas for a year, then East Texas State Teachers college in Commerce, Texas, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in music education. Early in his career, Elward worked in radio broadcasting and later became co-owner of radio station KVLG in La Grange, Texas. It was during the construction phase of the station that he met Millie Elsik. They were married August 28, 1960. After 13 years in radio, he worked in retail jewelry sales for 28 years, retiring in 1996.

Elward had a passion for music. Over the years he was a soloist, choir director, organist, pianist and worship leader in churches located in Pittsburg, La Grange, and Austin. He was a faithful member of Austin Grace Nazarene Church for 31 years, where he was active in the music ministry, served on the church board and as secretary of the board. Elward faithfully read his Bible every day and found comfort and strength in its words.

Still awaiting a reunion in heaven are his loving wife of nearly 52 years, Millie; daughter Melissa Hinton and husband Steve of Austin; daughter Analise Panter and husband Brett of Austin; granddaughter India Panter of Austin; sister Yvonne Lawrence of Richardson; brother Clyde of Houston; brother Eugene and wife Wanda of Montgomery, AL, as well as nieces and nephews.

Elward was preceded in death by his parents, brother Verbon, his wife Bettye and infant brother Graham.

Friends are cordially invited to a visitation with the family from six o’clock until eight o’clock in the evening, on Tuesday, the 7th of August 2012, at Cook-Walden Funeral Home, 6100 North Lamar Boulevard, Austin, Texas.

Funeral services will be conducted at eleven o’clock in the morning on Wednesday, the 8th of August 2012, at Cook-Walden Funeral Home, 6100 N. Lamar, Austin, Texas with Rev. Bob Shipps and Rev. Joshua Allday officiating. Interment will follow in Cook-Walden Capital Parks in Pflugerville, Texas under the direction of Cook-Walden Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Austin Grace Nazarene Church, 1006 W. Koening Lane, Austin, Texas 78756.

Condolences may be sent to www.cookwaldenfuneralhome.com.