Thomas "Tom" Lee Ruffin, 77, entered into eternal rest surrounded by his family on Wednesday, February 4, 2026, at Riverside Regional Medical Center in Newport News. Born on January 29, 1949, in Green County, North Carolina to the late Albert Ruffin, Sr. and Essie Mae (Fate) Ruffin.

Preceding him in death were his sister, Mary Ruffin; and brothers, Albert Ruffin, Jr., Wilbert "Bob" G. Ruffin, James O. Ruffin, Larry "Rock" D. Ruffin, and Theodore "Ted" Fields and Thessalonia Fields, and grandson, Ozzaye Cofield.

Thomas retired as an Electrician from Newport News Shipbuilding (NNS), a division of Huntington Ingalls Industries, where he worked for 46 years. He graduated from Huntington High School and later enlisted in the United States Army. Following his military service, he resided in the Tidewater region and attended Thomas Nelson Community College (currently Virginia Peninsula Community College) where he earned an Associate of Applied Science degree in Electronics Technology.

Thomas leaves to cherish his memory a loving and devoted wife of 42 years, Katrina G. (Jones) Ruffin. He will be greatly missed by his daughters, Brionna S. Jones (Eric) and Latoya A. Ruffin (Gerald) of Newport News, VA, and Uneshia Salters of Kennesaw, GA; three grandkids, Gerald Cofield (Akaiya) of Newport News, VA, Keyiana Minor and Jacob Salters of Kennesaw, GA; one great grandson, Kameron Minor of Kennesaw, GA; two brothers, Marvin A. Ruffin and Harold Ruffin (Deborah) of Newport News, VA; three sisters, Angenette R. Grant and Regina R. Ruffin of Smithfield, VA and Brenda Ruffin of Durham, NC, and a host of nieces, nephews and cousins.

Viewing will be held Friday, February 20, 2026 from 11:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. at Cooke Bros. Funeral Chapel, 1601-27th Street, Newport News, Va. 23607. A funeral service will be held 12 Noon, Saturday, February 21, 2026 at the chapel. Interment will follow in Hampton Memorial Gardens.