Cover photo for Charles Jackson Ruff, Sr.'s Obituary
Charles Jackson Ruff, Sr. Profile Photo
1941 Charles 2017

Charles Jackson Ruff, Sr.

October 1, 1941 — October 22, 2017

Charles Jackson Ruff, Sr, age 76, of Mt Pleasant, South Carolina passed away peacefully on October 22nd, 2017, surrounded by his wife and children.

Charles was born in Villa Rica, Georgia on October 1, 1941. His parents, Hattie Mae Rutledge Ruff (affectionately named The Duchess of Mableton) and M.B Ruff were the owners and operators of Ruff's Fabric stores in Mableton, Georgia. M.B. was a founder of the original South Cobb Bank, which later became Georgia State Bank.

Charles graduated from South Cobb High School in Austell, Georgia in 1959. He received his Associate of Science in Civil Engineering degree from The Southern Technical Institute in 1961. Charles owned and operated a men’s clothing store for 25 years - “Charles J. Ruff Store for Men” - on Bankhead Highway in Mableton, GA. This iconic store was the well-known gathering spot for the infamous “Mableton Mafia”.

Charles was the President of Charu Properties and Accurate Appraisal Associates where he was a real estate broker, land developer, and appraiser. Charles served on the Cobb County Board of Commissioners from 1976 to 1980. He was a member of the Latham Lodge #12 F&AM and a member of the Yaarab Shrine Temple. Charles retired in October of 2008 and was able to realize a lifelong dream - living on a sailboat he named Osprey and cruising the Intercoastal Waterway. Charles settled down in Charleston, South Carolina in 2013 which he referred to as “Paradise”. He is a member of Ashley River Baptist Church.

Survivors include his wife, Jo Ann Bankston Ruff of Charleston, SC; children, Kimberly Ruff (Bender) Betbeze of Marietta, GA, Kelly Ruff (Pete) Eichorn of Austin, Texas, and Charles “Chad” (Erica) Ruff, Jr. of Atlanta, GA; stepchildren, Mary Beth (Kevin) Dukes of Pauley’s Island, SC and Karen Kennedy (Jeff) Woodman of Mt. Pleasant, SC.

Charles leaves a legacy of eleven grandchildren: Bo, Connor, and Jack Betbeze, Natalie and Elaina Eichorn, Skyler and Jackson Ruff, Aubrey and Hampton Woodman, and Rachel and Ryan Foy.

Condolences may be viewed or submitted online at www.mcalister-smith.com

Arrangements entrusted to McALISTER-SMITH FUNERAL HOME, JAMES ISLAND CHAPEL, 347 Folly Road, Charleston, SC 29412, Phone: 843-614-8494.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Charles Jackson Ruff, Sr., please visit our flower store.

Service Schedule

Past Services

Visitation

Tuesday, October 24, 2017

10:00 - 11:00 am

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Service

Tuesday, October 24, 2017

Starts at 11:00 am

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