Obituary: Mack Austin Ruffner

Mack Austin Ruffner went home to be with the Lord, February 16, at the Life Care Center of Morgan County.

He was born to Leonard and Sudie Jackson Ruffner on April 21, 1930, in Coalfield. Mack’s mother died when he was eight years of age, at which time he went to live with his maternal grandmother Fannie Jackson, in a coal mining town in Kentucky. His beloved Grandmother Jackson raised him as a son, and he loved her as a mother.

When he was in the sixth grade, they returned to Coalfield, where Mack graduated high school in 1948. With his sense of humor, Mack liked to boast that he was in the top 10 of his class. Incidentally, there were only 10 in the class.

After graduation, he served his country in the United States Army during the Korean Conflict. Mack always had a strong work ethic, finding ways to make extra money as a young boy. This desire to work led to several government jobs. Ultimately, he was appointed animal care supervisor at Oak Ridge Associated Universities in 1959. He retired in 1995 after 36 years of service.

Mack was a born-again believer, having received Christ as his Savior as a teenager at Middle Creek Baptist Church in Coalfield. He was an ordained deacon and had attended Trinity Baptist Church in Harriman for over 30 years. His early morning devotions were an important part of his day, resulting in his reading through the Bible twice a year. Mack had a sweet, gentle spirit which was appreciated by all who knew him.

In addition to his parents, Mack was preceded in death by his first wife and mother of his son, Josephine Stout Ruffner; great-grandson, Chase Austin Ruffner; grandmother Fannie Jackson; brothers, Leonard Ruffner Jr., and Fred Thomas (F.T.) Ruffner; sister Eva Belle (Bea) Ruffner Jones; and stepmother Eva Jones.

Mack is survived by his wife of almost 25 years, Rita Vaughn Ruffner; sons Darrell Ruffner and wife Tina, Mark Ruffner and fiancee Carla Hudson, stepson Mark Vaughn, and stepdaughter, Melanie Vaughn Duncan, whom he referred to as “the daughter I never had,” and husband Bill; grandsons, Isaiah Ruffner and wife Brittany, and their children, Kiersten and Zae, Caleb Ruffner, Britt Ruffner and fiancee Stephanie Kinley, and Derrick Vaughn Duncan; granddaughters, Darcy Patton and husband Willie, and their children, Aniston and Jasper, Kathryn Ledbetter and husband Billy; brothers, William (Bill) Ruffner and wife Becky, and Elmer Ruffner and wife Doreen; and sisters, Kathryn Shepherd and husband Kyle, and Betty Van Norstran and husband Bob. Also surviving him are Dr. Jackie Jackson, whom Mack considered as a brother, and wife Barbara, and sister-in-law Gloria Ruffner.

The family received friends Saturday, February 21, between 12 and 2 p.m. at Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church. The funeral followed at 2 p.m. in the church auditorium with Pastor Tim McMichael officiating. Burial and graveside services immediately followed at Mt. Pisgah Cemetery.

Sharp Funeral Home is serving the Ruffner family, and we invite you to share messages or condolences at www.sharpfh.com.