Mildred L. Ruffin, retired as a head dietary cook at Charles Lake Elementary School

As part of her duties as a sub-dietary cook for the Cleveland public schools, Mildred Ruffin traveled the city to assist kitchen staff at many school cafeterias.

Mildred, who died of complications from colon cancer July 4, 2009, retired as a head dietary cook at Charles Lake Elementary School.

She received several honors for her dedication, hard work and persistence at Charles Lake, including the principal’s award for dedicated service to students and faculty. She also was given an award for perfect attendance.

Her first job with the school system was as an aide at Miles Standish Elementary School. She was an assistant dietary cook at Miles Elementary School before becoming a trouble-shooter for multiple school cafeterias.

She was born Mildred Laverne Yarbrough in Prescott, Ark., the fifth daughter born to German and Flora Yarbrough.

Mildred and her husband, John, were together for more than 56 years. Their five children - John Sr., Eugene, Janette, Jeffrey and Deborah – describe them as “soulmates.”

The couple enjoyed each other’s company with Sunday drives after church, eating ice cream and enjoying the scenery along the way. They also took pleasure watching Westerns on TV.

Mildred became involved in her children’s education and belonged to the PTA.

Her hobbies included cooking, sewing and gardening. She made pies and sewed quilts. In the summertime, she planted her favorite flowers and worked in her garden.

Mildred relished her time sitting on her front porch, watching the neighborhood children play and talking to neighbors. While living on Columbia Avenue in Cleveland, she served as street club president and March of Dimes Charities ambassador.

She served as treasurer and worked with the Mission Ministry at Mt. Vernon Baptist Church in Cleveland for many years. She faithfully participated in church activities until her illness got in the way.

In addition to her husband and five children, Mildred is survived by four grandchildren, John Boyd Jr., James A. Rusher, Jennifer Ruffin and Tyler Jennette Rusher; and four great-grandchildren, John Boyd III, Jalen Boyd, Jevon Boyd, and Ty’Rece Jones-Rusher.

Services were held. Lucas Memorial Chapel of Garfield Heights handled funeral arrangements.

This obituary was prepared by the family, edited by ObitsOhio.com and originally posted on ObitsOhio.com on July 8, 2009.