Bernice Morgan Ruff, 93, died Sunday, March 20, 2011, at River Region Hospital in Vicksburg. She was born in Lee County on Jan. 26, 1918, to Hilliard A. and Anna Kate Stovall Ruff. She was a hard worker and worked alongside her brothers in the fields at an early age. She was an excellent cook and talented seamstress, having crafted her skills from an early age.

Born with a green thumb, she loved gardening and each year had one of the most beautiful flower gardens in Lee County. She retired after 20 years with Reed’s Department Store in the early ’80s. She was a longtime active and dedicated member of Unity Presbyterian Church.

Services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday, March 24, 2011, at Unity Presbyterian Church in Plantersville with Dr. John Armistead officiating. Burial will be at Unity Cemetery. W.E. Pegues Funeral Directors is in charge of the arrangements.

Survivors include one son, Greg Ruff (Jessica) of Vicksburg; four grandchildren, Glen Franklin Gory (Sissye) of Brandon, Bryan Ruff Gory of Carrollton, Timothy Joe Ruff (Michelle) of Baton Rouge and Laura Carolyn Ruff of Alexandria, La.; and three great-grandchildren, Bryanna Gory of Greenwood and Hunter and Kendall Gory of Brandon.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Ben G. Ruff on Oct. 1, 1986; her daughter, Helen Ruff Gory on Nov. 30, 2003; and three brothers, H. Roy Morgan, James Curtis Morgan and John Hugh Morgan.

Pallbearers will be Glen Gory, Bryan Gory, Tim Ruff, Mark Thomas, Chad Files and George Logan.

Visitation will be 5-7 tonight, March 23, 2011, at the funeral home in Tupelo.

Memorials may be made to the Unity Presbyterian Church Treasurer, 1748 Highway 371, Tupelo, MS 38804.

Expressions of sympathy may be left at www.peguesfuneralhome.com.