KELFORD – Mr.  Tierce Tyrone “Bull” Ruffin, age 38, of Bertie County died on June 2, 2011 in Bertie Memorial Hospital in Windsor.

Mr.  Tierce Ruffin was born on November 19, 1972 to Joyce Faye Clark.  In June of 2002 at First Baptist Church Kelford, Tierce was called and licensed to preach the word of God.

Tierce attended the public schools of Bertie County.  After graduating in 1991 he furthered his education at Livingston University and was granted a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English. While at Livingston University he enlisted in the Army Reserves, receiving an Honorable Discharge in January of 2000.

Tierce was a Commissioner of the town of Kelford, a member of the Parks and Recreation Board of Advisors, a member of the Council for Aging, a 4-H Club volunteer, a volunteer firefighter and he also served on the Democratic Board of Elections.  In 1997 he became a Social Studies, English teacher and football coach for several schools (CG White Middle, Jamesville High and Bertie High).  Tierce tried to be an inspiration to all his colleagues, friends and to most of all, his students.

He leaves to cherish his memories his loving and devoted wife, Loretta Ruffin of Kelford; four sons, Jamarcus Fogg of Wake Forest, Tarquin and Keion Fogg, both of the home, and Justin Ruffin of Salisbury; one grandson, Azaire Craig of Windsor; his mother, Joyce Clark (Robert) of  Kelford; his godmother, Mammie Rascoe of Kelford; four uncles, Edward Guyther, (Dollie) of Temple Hills, MD, Donnie Eaton and John Eaton, both of Kelford and Steve Eaton of Murfreesboro; and two aunts, Julia Jackson of Temple Hill, MD and Inez Ruffin of Washington, DC.

Four aunts and an uncle preceded him in death, Joseph Ruffin Jr., Peggy Walton, Virginia Alice Darden, Rosetta Brown and Emma Ruffin.

He is had close cousins that he considered his brothers and sisters, Michael (deceased), Gail, Anita, Franklin, James, Darryl, Anthony, Candace, Glynis, Ericka, Daphne, Katenia, Corey and Travis and his adopted brother, John Richardson, his mother-in-law, Gloria Crudup of Wake Forest,  sister-in-laws and four brother-in-laws.

His funeral service will be held at 3 p.m. on Wednesday June 8, 2011 at Bertie Middle School, Windsor. The Rev. Keyster Taylor will be officiating.

His interment will be at Kelford First Baptist Church Cemetery, Roxobel, NC.

Reynolds Funeral Home of Ahoskie is handling the arrangements.