Claire Ruffin

Claire Faye Elliott Ruffin

September 3, 1942 - November 17, 2025

Greensboro, Georgia

Faye Ruffin, 83, of Greensboro, Georgia, passed away Monday, November 17, 2025. A graveside service will be held at 2:00pm on January 10, 2026, at Culloden City Cemetery in Culloden, Georgia. Reverend Arianna Eberle will officiate.

Claire Faye Elliott Ruffin was born on September 3, 1942, to Marjorie Irene Syring Elliott and Boykin Smith Elliott Jr. in Cuthbert, Georgia. She graduated high school in Yatesville, Georgia, and attended Tift College in Forsyth. Faye spent her formative years in Culloden where she nurtured her love for farm animals and every stray dog and cat that she encountered. She loved all animals, especially the many pets that she acquired over the years. She deeply loved her family and exemplified an extraordinary work ethic that was a model for her children whom she cherished. She had a true servant's heart always helping others even if it meant she would do without herself. Faye's legacy of love, service, and faith will continue to shine through the lives she touched.

Faye would spend 20 years in Macon raising her family before moving to Idabel, Oklahoma, for a few years in the early 1980's. She would later settle in Fernandina Beach, Florida, where she and her late husband (Steve Eller) would own and operate small businesses in Jacksonville and Fernandina Beach. She returned to her beloved Culloden in the mid 1990's and would remain there until her move to Greensboro in 2022.

Faye is survived by her husband Johnny Ruffin of Yatesville, Georgia, her twin sister Kay Jacks of Greensboro, North Carolina, her brother Kin Elliott of Gray, Georgia, her son Richard Koon (Sharon) of Tallahassee, Florida, daughters Rita Walker of Dublin, Georgia, and Melinda Chesser (Tracy) of Greensboro, Georgia, her seven grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, as well as nieces and nephews and many good friends.

 She was preceded in death by her parents and sister Ann Bennett.

The family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to the staff members of Peaceful Purpose Hospice, Eatonton, Georgia, and The Haven at Lake Oconee, Greensboro, Georgia, who cared for Faye over the past months.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Culloden United Methodist Church, 335 Main Street, Culloden, Georgia 31016, or Peaceful Purpose Hospice, 106A North Jefferson Avenue, Eatonton, Georgia 31024.

Monroe County Memorial Chapel assisted the family with the arrangements.

Please visit www.monroecountymemorialchapel.com to express your condolences.