Tracey Renee Ruffin was born in Canton, Ohio on March 23, 1962. She was a bright and precocious child, who loved to read and imagine life's great possibilities. Her love of learning was insatiable and helped her to excel in her academic studies. She was a proud graduate of Timken Senior High School, Class of 1980. Shortly after graduation, Tracey enlisted in the United States Army and was stationed abroad in Panama City, Panama, and domestically in Fort Worth, Texas. Tracey served as a computer and machine operator and achieved her sharpshooter designation.  After she was honorably discharged, she returned to Canton, Ohio to be near her family.

Tracey's passion for learning led to a life-long commitment and journey of pursuing excellence academically, professionally, and personally.  She completed her Associates Degree from Start State University, her Bachelor's Degree in Business Management from Malone University, and Master's of Education from Malone University. Her childhood dream was to become an elementary school counselor.  Her career of dedicated service to others through the education system helped shape the minds and hearts of children. Her various roles included assistant teacher with the Head Start Program, computer education instructor with the Canton City School System teaching staff, students and adult learners; ultimately landing her dream job as an elementary school counselor in Sanford, NC and at Broadway Elementary School in Bluffton, SC.

Tracey was a devoted Christian.  She sang and was a choir director  for the churches she attended. She loved her Antioch and Deliverance church families and was proud to be an early member of Faith Family Church when it was still "on the hill".

In her spare time, Tracey was an avid sports fan. She loyally supported all of her Cleveland teams, her Ohio State Buckeyes, and any team Lebron James played for! With her beloved fur babies (Missy and Macey) by her side, she vigorously cheered for all her teams, season after season.

Tracey also took great pride in knowing and sharing the Ruffin family history. She spent many hours researching, documenting and connecting long lost branches of our family tree. Her passionate work to strengthen the Ruffin lineage led to the first Ruffin-Miller family reunion in 2022 which was profoundly important to Tracey.

Tracey is preceded in death by her mother, Donna Jean Ruffin, her father, Levi Hall; and her sister, Jacqueline (Ruffin) Bell. She leaves to cherish her memory, her devoted brother, Sheldon Todd Lewis of Lansing, Michigan;. her four loving children - Qui'Ana M. Ruffin of Locust , North Carolina, Dennis W. Gipson Jr. of Canton, Ohio, Qachauna D. Gipson of Massillon, Ohio, and Qayla R. (Eugene) Humphries of Canton, Ohio. Although Tracey loved her children, nothing made her happier than her "Grands"! Left to cherish their PeeDeePaw and GrandBoo are:

Pierre Betts Jr., Damaya Arrington, Qyana Howard, Aleja Arrington, Kaedyn Ruffin, Cardale Arrington, Qay'Brielle Gipson, King Gipson, Nalani Saunders, Isaiah Venson, Senaia Saunders, Israel "Izzy" Knox, Christian Gipson, QaLina Harris, Orion Saunders, QamRyn Humphries; and her great-grand,  Josiah Arrington. Special acknowledgment to her godson, Sam Backie; her special granddaughter, Chantale Arrington; and her special daughter, Onetress "Nini Ruffin" Robinson.

The family would also like to acknowledge the entire host of extended family and friends who are too many to name, but will also miss her greatly and cherish her memory.

Tracey was a huge presence in the life of so many and left lasting impressions on all of those who had the pleasure of knowing her.  She will be forever remembered for her warm spirit and infectious laughter that made it easy for her to make friends; but it was her caring and nurturing nature that touched the hearts of so many and yielded so many long-lasting friendships.