David Ruffin parents: Meet Eli Ruffin, Ophelia Ruffin

David Eli Ruffin (born Davis Eli Ruffin; January 18, 1941 June 1, 1991) was an American soul singer and musician best known as one of the Temptations lead singers from 1964 to 1968, during the groups Classic Five phase. He sang the lead vocals for hit songs including My Girl and Aint Too Proud

David Eli Ruffin (born Davis Eli Ruffin; January 18, 1941 – June 1, 1991) was an American soul singer and musician best known as one of the Temptations’ lead singers from 1964 to 1968, during the group’s “Classic Five” phase. He sang the lead vocals for hit songs including “My Girl” and “Ain’t Too Proud to Beg.”

Ruffin, known for his distinct raspy and tortured tenor vocals, was named one of Rolling Stone magazine’s 100 Greatest Singers of All Time in 2008. For his work with the Temptations, he was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1989. Marvin Gaye, another Motown recording artist, once stated of Ruffin, “I heard [in his voice] a strength my own voice lacked.”

David Ruffin parents: Meet Eli Ruffin, Ophelia Ruffin

Davis Eli Ruffin was born, in the rural unincorporated village of Whynot, Mississippi, 15 miles outside Meridian. He was the third child of Baptist clergyman Elias “Eli” Ruffin and Ophelia Ruffin. Quincy B. Ruffin, Reada Mae Ruffin, and Jimmy Lee Ruffin were his siblings. Rosine, Ruffin’s other sister, died when she was a child.

David Ruffin’s parents were both Mississippi natives. His father, Eli, was a truck driver at various lumber mills, while his mother, Ophelia, worked from home. Because of the terrible living conditions that followed the American Civil War, Eli’s parents relocated from Alabama to Mississippi.

David Ruffin’s great ancestors, John Ruffin and Clara Ruffin had moved to Alabama from Bertie County, North Carolina. John Ruffin served in the 14th United States Colored Heavy Artillery Regiment during the American Civil War.

Ruffin’s father was rigid and even abusive at times. Ruffin’s mother died ten months after his birth in 1941 from difficulties of delivery, and his father later married Earline, a schoolteacher, in 1942.

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