Herbert "Herb" Francis Ruffin

Herbert “Puff” Ruffin departed this life on Saturday June 27th, 2026. Herb was born on October 14th, 1953, to Hazel Pettaway Ruffin in Mobile, AL. He believed in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and united with Mt. Zion Baptist Church at an early age. Herb was raised in Mobile, AL by his mother Hazel Ruffin and her husband R.C. Ruffin. He was a graduate of Murphy High School and was taught to play the piano by his mother during his formative years and played the French horn in high school. Herb was previously married and fathered two children Kendra Ruffin and Isaiah Ruffin. Herb toured the Chitlin Circuit as a pianist/keyboardist with Charlie Foxx (who had the hit “Mockingbird”). Later he lived in Atlanta, GA and Washington D.C Metropolitan area where he had numerous gigs including at the Post Pavillion. Over time Herb expanded into songwriting, producing and arranging in the traditions of Gospel, R&B, and Jazz. In 1983 Herb journeyed to California with his good friend Roy Williams with the intent of living in Los Angeles to pursue his musical dream. He made the San Francisco Bay area his home. Herb and Karese Young became life and musical partners and later married. They began playing jazz standards as well as his original compositions under the name Plum Island. Soon they expanded to a quartet and changed the name to Bow Hammer Skins. Herb played organ and keyboard for Rehoboth Christian Fellowship and Community Reformed Church. Over the years Bow Hammer Skins has performed as a duo and quartet for fundraisers with the Solano Symphony, local restaurants and Juneteenth (in the cities of American Canyon, Benicia and Berkeley). Herb holds several copyrights, also played keyboards for The New Hot Ice Band, and took on solo projects such as providing original music for an independent film. He owned his own construction company KFI construction and was an extra in the movie Made in America starring Whoopi Goldberg. Herbert Ruffin is preceded in death by his mother, Hazel Ruffin and his brother, Samuel Lee Pettaway. His life and legacy will forever be cherished in the lives of his wife Karese Young; 2 children Kendra Ruffin of Conley, GA and Isaiah Ruffin (Colleen Ruffin) of Seattle, Washington; 1 stepdaughter Koy Hardy (Sekou Doumbouya); 6 grandchildren, Corey, Christian Brianna, Chelsie, Mikayla, Isaiah, Lliana; 5 great grandchildren Tristian, TaCoreyon, Tremond, Lavender, Christian; 1 niece Latrecia Buford; 1 nephew Clarence Pettaway; devoted cousins Marian Pettaway Leslie and William “Billy ” Pettaway; and a host of family and friends and neighbors.

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Herbert "Herb" Francis Ruffin

October 14, 1953 - June 27, 2026