Deacon Lanton Ruffin

Lanton Nathaniel Ruffin was born in Fairview, Virginia on February 10, 1958, to the late
Ernest and Irene Ruffin. He transitioned from this life on Friday, March 17, 2023.

Lanton accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior at an early age. He served Mt. Sinai Gospel
Tabernacle in Cape Charles, Virginia, under Bishop Estella Smith. He served as a choir
member and a Junior Trustee. He also served Bishop Estella Smith and Bishop Helen Gillis
at Crusader’s for Christ in Norfolk, Virginia. He served as Sunday School teacher and choir
member. Lanton served Bishop Ornia Dixon and Pastor Lamonte Jackson at Emmanuel
Holy Temple in Norfolk, Virginia. He served as the chairman of the Deacon Board and as a
Sunday School Teacher. Lanton served all his pastors as a mighty prayer warrior.

Lanton was educated in the Northampton County Public School System. He graduated
from Northampton High School in 1976. Lanton was proud to play football for the Yellow
Jackets. After high school, Lanton moved to Norfolk, Virginia to work with his uncle, Isaiah
Jackson Jr., at Second Alarm Restaurant as a line cook. From Second Alarm, he worked in
several restaurants in the Tidewater area including the Holiday Inn Conference Center
which was his current place of employment. Lanton’s passion for cooking afforded him to
open his own catering business. November, 1992, Lanton was united in holy matrimony to
Deborah Upshur.

Lanton was preceded in death by his mother, Irene Ruffin; his father, Ernest Ruffin; his
sister, Earnestine Spady and his nephew, Rodney Dixon.

Lanton leaves to cherish his memory: his wife, Deborah Ruffin; his children, Tyvonne
Upshur, Aspria Summerville (Kedrio), Kimberly Upshur, and Angela Bishop (Kelly); his
siblings, Bishop Ornia Dixon (Starlene), Nita Reid, Tyrone Ruffin (Wendy), Aves
Ruffin-Justis (Adrian I), Daphne Custis, and Marquis Davis; his grandchildren, Ty’lei,
Hannah, Melquan, Nehemiah, Labeeb, Kyliek, Legacy, and Kori; a host of nieces, nephews,
cousins, and friends.

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