Raymond John Ruffin Sr.

Raymond “RJ” Ruffin is a native of Morgan City, LA. He was born on August 3, 1946, to the last Cassie Mae Ruffin Cooper (Edward Cooper) and the Late Zelmo Eugene Watson, Sr. He departed this life on June 4, 2026, surrounded by the love of his life, his wife Gladys, children, and grandchildren.

Raymond was baptized at an early age at Mt. Era Baptist Church. Raymond will always be loved and remembered as strong, caring, loving and a God-fearing man.

He leaves to cherish his memories, his wife of 56 years, Gladys Marie Ruffin. He also leave to cherish his memories, 5 daughters: Melissa (Ron) Ruffin, Raynell (Derrick) Smith, Felicia (Roland) Spencer, Amanda (Frederick) Ferguson, and Bridgette (Will) Ruffin. Three sons Damon (Rose) Ruffin, Raymond (Shay) Ruffin, Jr., and Donovan (Bassemah) Ruffin, three aunts Vergie Ruffin, Linda Ruffin and Brettea Ann Ruffin; three uncles, Morris Dean Ruffin, Ervin Ruffin, Sr. and Kenneth Ruffin; five sisters, Vera Jones, Patsy O’Gwin, Kathryn Thomas, Helen Collins, Joyce (Troy) Matthews; two brothers-in-law Burnell Gray, Jr. and Dwayne Gray; one sister-in-law Shelia Gray. He also leaves to cherish his memory thirty grandchildren; forty-eight great-grandchildren, one great granddaughter, seven godchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Raymond was preceded in death by his Mother Cassie Mae Cooper, Stepfather, Edward Cooper, and father Zelmo Watson ; brothers Alton Brashear, Ronald Brashear, Larry and Albert Watson, 4 sisters Barbara Hall, Gwendolyn Brown, Ora Lee Garner and Evelyn Bobb, brothers-in-law Eddie Lee Brown, Tillman Hall, Daniel and Rudolph Gray, sisters-in-law Lynn Owens, Marlene Jenkins, Idele Brashear and Mary-Esther Baytop, one granddaughter, 3 great grandchildren, nephews, Edward Robinson, Alton Castille, Sr. and Fred Owens; Niece Leah Owens; aunts Judy Ruffin and Mary Grace Durall; uncles, Carl and Dale Ruffin, and one God Son, Mother-in-law, Gladys Clark Gray and Maternal & Paternal Grandparents.

A visitation will be held on Friday, June 12, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. at the Siracusaville Recreation Center, 1110 Grace Street, Morgan City, Louisiana 70380.

A Celebration of Life honoring the life and legacy of "RJ" will begin at 11:00 a.m. at the Siracusaville Recreation Center.

Interment will follow at Morgan City Cemetery.