Marcus Carroll Ruff was born in Chicago, IL on January 29, 1960 to Elzie L. Ruff and Mertha Shumpert Ruff. He grew up in Wheaton, IL and graduated from the Wheaton North High School. He attended Jackson College in Jacksonville, FL. After moving to Mississippi to live he united with the Pleasant Grove United Methodist Church in Nettleton, MS. He is survived by his parents and three grandchildren, Kieya, Khiyel, and Constance; seven brothers; Donaldson Shumpert (Margaret) of San Francisco, CA; Fredrick Shumpert, Craig Ruff (Christine) both of Carol Stream, IL, Jesse Eugene Ruff of Detroit, MI, Timothy Ruff of Nettleton, MS, Richard Daryl Ruff of Gary, Ind, Eric Ruff of Studio City, CA; one sister Elsa Ruff Black of Virginia Beach, VA. A host of aunts, uncles, numerous first cousins, other relatives and friends.