Prelude

Saturday, February 18, 201 7 1:00 P.M.
HISTORIC SPRINGFIELD BAPTIST CHURCH 102 Springfield Way Augusta, GA
Reverend Hardy S. Bennings, III, Pastor Reverend Karlton Howard, Presiding
Pa stor, N o a h 's Ark B a p tist C h u rc h

Processional....................... ........................................................................ Springfield Sanctuary Choir "When We All Get to Heaven"

Prayer................................... ......................................................................... Reverend Cordon Thomas
Pa stor, R o ss G ro ve B a p tist C h u rc h

Old Testament Scripture... ............................................................................Overseer Betty Anderson
Pa sto r, W a y o f Life M in istrie s In te rn a tio n a l

New Testament Scripture.,............................................................ Reverend Dr. Robert W. Turner, Jr.
P a sto r E m e ritu s, G o o d Sa m a rita n B a p tist C h u rc h

Selection............................. ........................................................................ Springfield Sanctuary Choir "Blessed Assurance"

Acknowledgements......... ...................................................................................Mrs. Stephanie White
Sp rin g fie ld Ba p tist C h u rc h

Words of C om fort.............. ................................................... Reverend Dr. Charles E. Goodman, Jr.
Pa sto r, H isto ric Ta b e rn a c le B a p tist C h u rc h

Musical Tribute....................

"In the Carden"

Eulogy.................................. ....................................................................... Reverend Clarence Moore
Pastor, G o o d Sh e p h e rd Ba p tist C h u rc h

Musical Medley Tribute....

M in iste r o f W o rsh ip a n d A rts, M a c e d o n ia B a p tist C h u rc h

Recessional........................ ....................................................................... Springfield Sanctuary Choir "Going Up Yonder"

In te rm e n t............................

2 60 1 W h e e le r R o a d A u g u sta , G e o rg ia
- REPAST Springfield Baptist Church
St. John Building

Our sweet Betty Jean Ruffin Martin went to be with her Saviour the afternoon of February 10, 201 7 at University Hospital, Betty will always be remembered as a person with deep and unshakable faith in GOD, determined to stay active in life and to be self-sufficient. Betty's infectious laugh was uplifting and inspiring. Whenever you saw Betty, she had an encouraging smile, giving a warm fuzzy feeling of HOPE from her conversation. Although Betty's mobility was challenged, it was never an obstacle to attending events and engaging in life. Betty would always say "I will be there if I can get a ride."
Betty was born December 24, 1940, the second of the six children of Clarence (Brady) and Bertha Dickerson Ruffin. She completed her childhood education in 1958 at Lucy Craft High School and graduated in 1963 from Benedict College with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Elementary Education. Then Betty worked in the Richmond County School District for over 30 years before retiring. After a few years of practical teaching experience, Betty became certified by the University of South Carolina in Orangeburg to teach children with special needs. Throughout her teaching career, she frequently attended refresher courses, continuing education courses, and many workshops. Betly was also a Certified Nursing Assistant.
As a child, Betty was baptized at First Mount Moriah Baptist Church where she laid her spiritual foundation by attending church regularly, singing in the youth choir, and being active in the Sunday School. Her church affiliations included serving as vice-president of the Historic Springfield Baptist Church Senior Choir, membership on Deaconess Board, Sunday School Teacher, and a member of the Senior Mission. Frequently, Betty was a guest speaker at special church events,
A natural leader, Betty served on numerous boards and committees in Augusta and surrounding areas. She was active in the Augusta Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.; a member of the Richmond County Retired Educators Association serving as president for two years. She also served as president of the Women's Auxiliary of the Walker Baptist Association; a member of the local Minister's Wives Association and 10th District Missionary Convention. She was also a Court Appointed Special Advocate and a tutor.
She survived her husband, the late Rev. Dr Emmett Thomas Martin, Jr.; her parents, Deacon 8c Mrs. Clarence Ruffin, Sr; and brothers Alfreddie, Charles, and Clarence Ruffin, Jr.
She leaves to cherish her loving memories: her sisters, Mary (Cluese) Lyons, Jr., Josephine Ruffin, Augusta, GA, and Freddie Lee Bacon, St. Petersburg, FL; sisters-in-law, Virginia M. Barnes, Mildred Martin, and Geneva Ruffin; aunts, Willie Maude Dickerson, Augusta, GA, and Ruby Jackson, Miami, FL; nieces: Sandra R. Thompkins, Jacquelyn Kyler, Annette Barnes, and Deborah Davis; nephews: Clarence Ruffin, III, Arthur (Pearl) Ruffin, Alphonso (Wanda) Ruffin, Sr., Dedrick (Nicole) Gantt, Alonza (Angela) Martin, Jr., Jean Paul (Kyna) Martin, Sr., John (Deborah) Ruffin, and Cal (Janie) Ruffin; godchildren: Melissa Stanford, Allegro Simmons, Jarod Johnson, Dr. Olivia Copeland, Moniqwa Jones, Glennis Holmes White, and Annette Barnes; and a host of great-nieces and nephews and cousins.
Tribute is also paid to her devoted neighbors: Nathaniel Williams and Rick Calloway; special friends: Algelee Copeland, Patricia Cummings, Carmen Few, and Jackie Jones, Atlanta, GA; and the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority who consistently provided superlative support and unconditional love to Betty over the years.

HAVE A f

If I should ever leave you whom I love To go along the {Silent Way, grieve not, Nor speak of me with tears, but laugh and talk
Of me as if I were beside you there, (I'd c o m e ... I'd come, could I but find a way!
But would not tears and grief be barriers?) And when you hear a song or see a bird I loved,
Please do not let the thought of me be sa d ,.. For I am loving you just as I always have... You were so good to me!
There are so many things I wanted still to d o ... So many things to say to yo u ... Remember that I did not fe a r...
It was just leaving you that was so hard to fa c e ,.. We cannot see Beyond... But this I know; I loved you so ... 'Twas heaven here with you!
Isla Paschal Richardson, American poet

David Kyler Jean Paul Martin, Sr Clarence Ruffin, III Alphonso Ruffin, Jr.

Alonza L. Martin, Jr. Arthur Ruffin John Ruffin
Michael Myles, Sr.

Deacons and Deaconesses of Springfield Baptist Church Local Ministers' Wives Association Tenth District Missionary Society Walker Baptist Convention Lucy C. Laney Class of 1958
General Missionary Baptist Convention of Georgia Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
Richmond County Retired Educators Association

Ushers Union of Georgia

The family would like to thank ea ch of you for joining us in this celebration of Betty's life. Also, thank you for all the cards, phone calls, flowers, and com fort that you have given. We feel truly blessed.
W. H. Mays M ortuary
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