By Staff
From staff reports
July 20, 2001
STARKVILLE Funeral services for former Mississippi State hurdler Dedric Ruffin will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday at Mt. Olive M.B. Church in Meridian, with the Rev. Marvin Dixon officiating. Visitation will be tonight from 6-8 p.m. at Mt. Calvary M.B. Church.
Ruffin died July 15 as a result of injuries sustained in a car accident.
Ruffin, 24, lettered four years (1996-99) for the Bulldogs, specializing in the 110- and 400-meter hurdles. The former Meridian High standout advanced to the 110-meter hurdles semifinals of the NCAA Outdoor Championships his junior season.
Ruffin also excelled in the classroom, garnering three selections to the SEC Academic Honor Roll and a first team selection to the Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholars squad. A multi-time recipient of the school's Newsom Academic Award, the 1998 track MVP graduated magna cum laude from MSU.
In addition to track and field, Ruffin was also a member of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity, Black Voices Gospel Choir, Student Athletic Advisory Council, M-Club, Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Big Brothers/Big Sisters of America.
A member of Jerome Greene and Voices of Triumph Ministries in Memphis, Tenn., Ruffin was employed as a credit manager at Wells Fargo Financial in Southaven.
Ruffin is survived by his wife, Shreka L. Wright Ruffin; a daughter, Deadra; his parents, Greenberry and Tommie Jean Ruffin; and two brothers, Tremayne and Jeremy.