C. Ruffin and Oakadel Leeper Ruffin both who preceded her in death. Bertie went
home to be with the Lord on October 6, 2010 in Christiana Hospital surrounded by
her daughters.
Bertie completed elementary and high school in Hawkins County, Tennessee and graduated as valedictorian from Swift High School. She was reading by age 4 and developed a love of books. After completing high school she moved to
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where she attended the Franklin Institute of Technology and became an X-Ray technologist for a number of years. Years later, Bertie attended University of Pennsylvania where she studied English Literature. Bertie was a Christian and attended church all her life. She was a member of First African Baptist Church for several years before joining Mount Hebron Baptist Church where she remained faithful until relocating to Delaware. She enjoyed hearing the choirs and reading the Bible.
Once Bertie moved to Delaware, she took pride in her volunteer work at the Middletown
Senior Center.
Bertie was affectionately known as “Bobbie” to her brothers, sisters and longtime
friends. She became involved in various social organizations in Philadelphia where
she met Patrick Mayazi. From this union were three children whom she took pride
in raising: Nema, Amina and Maisha.
Bertie was a devoted, loving mother, sister and friend. She enhanced the lives of her family in so many ways. She taught them laughter, perseverance and to recognize the important things in life. She always stressed the need for a good education and was always very involved in helping her children with homework and studying. Bertie enjoyed spending time with her family and sharing the family history. Bertie cared about her neighbors and would lend a hand to anyone in need.
Bertie loved classical music like Tchaikovsky and good soul music like the
Commodores, Stevie Wonder and Marvin Gaye. Bertie was easy going, charismatic, fun
to be around and had a great sense of humor.
Bertie leaves to cherish her memory three daughters, Nema Manuel(Brian) of Laurel
Maryland, Amina Mayazi-Saunders (Scott) of Middletown, Delaware, Maisha Mayazi
(Brian), of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She is survived by two sisters Barbra Ruffin
Boston of San Francisco, California, Constance Ruffin Darling of Denver, Colorado, two brothers, Milton Ronald Ruffin of Asheville, North Carolina and Roy Cassius Ruffin of Atlanta, Georgia, one sister-in-law Pamela Ruffin. She also leaves three very special grandchildren: Akili Gemina, Mekhi Giovanni, and Nia Simone. Also mourning her loss are two precious aunts: Luther Mae Bragg of West Hartford, Connecticut and Natalie Morris of White Pine, Tennessee, several cousins, Shelby, Mary Edith, Carolyn Sue of Hartford Connecticut, Dwayne, Sheila and Gayle of Tennessee. She also leaves to mourn special nephew Roy Ruffin, and a host of nieces, nephews and friends and a childhood friend, Jenni Belle Bristol of Kingsport, Tennessee and one special dog, Cinnamon whom she loved dearly.
The funeral service will be held on Friday, October 15, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. The service will take place at the Trinity AME Church located at 27 E. Lockwood Street in Middletown, DE 19709. The repast is at Amina's home located at 40 Watson Lane in Middletown, DE 19709.
Serving the Mayazi-Ruffin family is the Congo Funeral Home located at 201 N. Gray Avenue in Wilmington, DE 19805. The phone number is 302-652-8887.
A florist near Amina's home is Elana's Broad Street Florist and Gifts. The address is 500 N. Broad Street in Middletown, DE 19709 and the phone number is 302 285 0801.
