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Frances Knight Ruffin affectionately known as “Pookie” was born on September 22, 1958 to the late Jasper Rollins and Frances Moore. On March 14, 1977 she joined in holy matrimony to Rayfield Ruffin and transitioned from her earthly home to her eternal home with her husband on December 31, 2025. Pookie was known for her kind heart, her love for people no matter the walk of life everybody was somebody to her, her love for her family was unparallel, the matriarch wore many hats but her favorite was being a grandmother and great grandmother her grands was her world they felt the love from her every single day. In her early life Pookie worked as a cook for the United States Military she was so proud that she had the pleasure of serving the honorable Colin Powell. In the early 90’s she became a hospice nurse and transitioned into home health care until her husband retired her in 2016. Pookie loved to cook and have family functions at her home, her favorite being Septemberella celebrating her birthday. She was always the life of the party. Everyone loved momma cooking and was very proud of the fact that people raved over her food. Honorable mention: she loved cooking for attorney Donald Stroud and retired Honorable Judge William Duke. Pookie was a community activist for voters and justice. She helped with Martin Luther King Day. She had a strong belief in voting. In fact, she worked with Black Voters Matter to help people sign up to vote within the community. She was dedicated to the community. She helped with the March for Truth, Justice, and Reconciliation, which was a 100 mile walk from the mountains to the coast in 2024. Pookie was very fashionable, she could find the most unique clothing. She always told us to be presentable in public. She could make a thrift store outfit look as if it came off of Rodeo Drive. She loved antique stores, thrift stores, flea markets, consignment shops and yard sales. She loved plants and flowers. She enjoyed planting flowers and gardening in her yard. She was very much an outside person. She became a partner in her husband's lawn care Ray’s Grass, which was something both loved to do together. Frances was preceded in death by her parents, Jasper Rollins and Frances Moore Knight; grandchildren, Zy’Torious Ruffin, Tiair Wooten; great grandchildren, Karter Rosenboro, A’Raeya Boyd, Jeanniy Wooten; sisters, Andrea Knight, Judy Rollins, Shirley Rollins, Mebla Andrews, Janie Powell, Velma Rollins, Rosie Rollins; brothers, George Knight, Jasper Rollins Jr., George Rollins, Luke Rollins, Arthur Rollins, Shelbert Rollins, and William Rollins. Frances leaves to cherish her memory her five daughters, Trivia Pierce (Micheal), Tomecker Jones (Bobby), Duchess Chance (Tyrone) of Greenville, NC, Jawanda Ruffin (Douglas) and Sha’Inga Cherry (Walter) of Farmville, NC; one son, Edon Rodgers (Adrienne) of Raleigh, NC; four sisters, Teresa Knight of Robersonville, NC, Helen Guy (Don) of Jacksonville, NC, Thelia Brown (Don) and Ida Rollins of New Jersey; five brothers, Future Knight of Greenville, NC, Phillip Knight (Cynitha) and Gerald Knight of Robersonville, NC, Bobby Knight (Priscilla) and Earnest Rollins of New Jersey; one sister in law, Joy Smith of Greenville NC; one brother in law, Johnny Smith of New York; twenty-nine grandchildren, Martinez, Carnesia, Jacoby, Nijewel, Jaidyen, Jhayna, DeNautica, Ne’Adiquade, Niasia, Nehemiah, Neshyah, London, Bobby III, Du’Zuan, Aalyiah, Imani, Ta’Essence, I’Zayzuwon, Mi-Kyi, Ta-Zion, Infinity (Arshaun), Gyan, Jazmine, Isaiah, Allanah, Walter Jr., Ta’Lyiah and Dy’Terrion; twenty-one great-grandchildren, Khalijah, Jacint, Gionni, Zuri, Nylah, Amiyah, Kolton, Khloe, Khyla, Don’Tayvion, Jamaria, Aubrey, Yashlynn, Akari, Aiden, Massiah, Ta’Zion, Braylen, Nolan, Elania and Aveonna; two Godchildren, Shaingrid and Frances; best friend, Catherine Williams; her favorite cousin, Ruby Wooten; a host of other relatives and friends.

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Mrs. Frances Knight Ruffin

September 22, 1958 - December 31, 2025