RALEIGH, NC – Sterling Stokes Ruffin, Sr. went home to be with The Lord on Christmas Day after an extended battle with illness.

He was a husband, father, grandfather, and a graduate of The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He was the son of the late Dr. & Mrs. J.B. Ruffin of Ahoskie, NC.

He is survived by his wife, Anita Ruffin of Raleigh, NC; son, Sterling Ruffin, Jr. and his wife Stacy of Greenville, NC; daughter, Alison Ruffin and her husband Mark of Raleigh, NC; grandsons, Tanner and Maddox Ruffin of Greenville, NC; and his dog and best friend, Stormy.

A memorial service will be held at Covenant Church, 4005 Corey Rd, Winterville, NC, on Sunday, January 14, 2018 at 3:00 p.m. conducted by the Rev. Jay Buckingham.

Arrangements are being handled by Mitchell Funeral Home at Raleigh Memorial Park.