Walter & Carolyn Ruff

Walter S. Ruff, 82, and Carolyn D. Ruff, 75, of Lake Wales passed away Sunday, July 17, 2016 at their home with their great-grandson, Liam. They moved to Lake Wales from Miami in 1980. Carolyn was born February 25, 1941 in Columbia, SC to the late Leon & Ruby Driggers; she was retired from Wometco Enterprises in Miami, a member of the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd and a lifetime member of the Order of the Eastern Star in Columbia, SC. She was very creative and artistic and enjoyed painting, sculpting, sewing and gardening. She loved to read and was a Girl Scout leader. Walter was born January 20, 1934 in Columbia, SC to the late Silas and Ola Elberta Ruff; he was a retired Jr. V.P. for Wometco Enterprises in Miami and the owner of Ruff’s Cloverleaf Feed and Garden until 1996. He was a member of the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd, a lifetime member of the Eau Claire Masonic Lodge, lifetime member of the Lake Wales Rotary Club, and a distributor for Nascar. They were preceded in death by their son, Tommy O. Ruff; and Walter's sister, Frances Kelly. Survivors include their daughter, Carmen L. Ruff Russell (James) of Lake Wales; son, Walter E. Ruff of Lake Wales; seven grandchildren, Maria Ruff, Crystal Russell, Sara Ruff, Patrick Russell, Thomas Ruff, Hannah Russell and Stephany Ruff; one great-grandchild, Amelia Meloney. The family will be receiving friends from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. Friday, July 22, 2016 at the Marion Nelson Funeral Home in Lake Wales. Memorial service will be held 10:00 a.m. Saturday, July 23, 2016 at the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd with Father Thomas C. Seitz officiating.