Rufus Pipkins
June 26, 1963 ~ August 7, 2020 (age 57) 57 Years Old
Rufus Pipkins Obituary
Remembering Rufus Devere Pipkins
Rufus Devere Pipkins, 57, passed away on Friday, August 7, 2020.
Rufus was born on June 26, 1963 in Saginaw, MI to Rufus Pipkins and Annie Sparks Robinson. He was a proud product of Saginaw Public Schools graduating from Saginaw High School in 1981. He attended Morehouse College, Eastern Michigan University and Grand Canyon University where he earned degrees in Engineering and Science. His labor of love was serving as a construction engineer with Testing Engineering Consultants for 31 years. His heart became filled three years ago when he followed his lifelong dream of becoming a math teacher at Tipton Academy and most recently at Pathway School. Ru’s first love was serving as a mentor to children. He was a football coach for 25 years having shared his passion and expertise of the game with Willow Run High School, Ann Arbor Pioneer High School, Ann Arbor Huron High School, Ypsilanti Braves, Ann Arbor Junior Wildcats and the Dearborn Heights Junior Redskins. He was an active member of the Michigan High School Coaches Association, the Black Coaches Association and in 1985 “Invincible 7” became a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. Often referred to as the “Gentle Giant” Rufus had a heart of gold and his smile lit up any room. There was something magnetic about him; he never met a stranger, loved unconditionally and non-judgmentally. An active listener, kind spirit who left an indelible mark on this world. Words that best describe him; humble, servant, dreamer and doer. His legacy will live on through the lives of your students, athletes, family and friends. He answered the Master’s call on Friday, August 7, 2020; may he rest in eternal peace. Job well done, good and faithful servant; well done, Coach Ru!
Rufus was preceded in death by his father, Rufus Pipkins, grandparents Felton & Duerell Sparks and Fannie Canada. Mother in love Annie Blair and Father in love Samuel Johnson. Aunts Rosalee Bard, Ella Johnson, Bettie Calloway, Pamela Canada and Margaret Jolly. Uncles Felton Sparks, Jr., William Scott, Jr., Alphonsie Smith, Robert Pipkins and Joseph Morgan. Loving cousin Latchie Washington Chesney.
He leaves to cherish his memory - wife, Sheree Pipkins; mother Annie Sparks Robinson, sister Dietra (Rawleigh) Madlock and brother Ray (Jackie) Pipkins; his daughters, Shala Pipkins, Arielle Pipkins, Kagyn Powell; sons Malcom Pipkins, Deve’re (Ashley) Pipkins, Tony (Mercy) Jackson and Ky’ell Williams; grandchildren Cayden Pipkins, Brayden Franklin, Camryn Pipkins, Isaiah Pipkins, Zuri Pipkins, Noah Pipkins and Lilly Jackson; aunts Vivian Scott, Shirley (Gene) Nuckolls, Barbara Pipkins and Joe Ann Chism; uncles Everitt (Renee) Pipkins and Eddie (Deb) Canada; loving cousins raised as siblings; Tobin (Myra) Williams and Tracey (Gregory) McKinney; brothers in love; Michael Blair, Keith Blair, Tyrone Blair, Anthony (Simone) Blair, and Gerard Weddington; nieces Area Winters and Rashonda Pipkins; nephews Jabri Pipkins, Preston (Shaela) Madlock, Ray Pipkins, Jr., Jalen Madlock and Javion Madlock; his circle of love; Reverend Robert (Jeanette) Williams, James Smith, John (Sabrina) Nettles, Spencer (Violet) Gardner, Steve Sommers and Coach Lamanzer Williams.
Cemetery
Tri County Cremation Services
Ypsilanti MI
US
Memorial Service
Monday, August 17, 2020
11:00 AM -
St. Mary Missionary Baptist Church
561 Second Avenue
Ypsilanti MI 48197
US
Funeral Home
C&H Community Home for Funerals - Lucille's Memorial Chapel
411 S. Adams St.
Ypsilanti MI 48197
US
(734) 482-9889
Rufus Devere Pipkins, 57, passed away on Friday, August 7, 2020.
Rufus was born on June 26, 1963 in Saginaw, MI to Rufus Pipkins and Annie Sparks Robinson. He was a proud product of Saginaw Public Schools graduating from Saginaw High School in 1981. He attended Morehouse College, Eastern Michigan University and Grand Canyon University where he earned degrees in Engineering and Science. His labor of love was serving as a construction engineer with Testing Engineering Consultants for 31 years. His heart became filled three years ago when he followed his lifelong dream of becoming a math teacher at Tipton Academy and most recently at Pathway School. Ru’s first love was serving as a mentor to children. He was a football coach for 25 years having shared his passion and expertise of the game with Willow Run High School, Ann Arbor Pioneer High School, Ann Arbor Huron High School, Ypsilanti Braves, Ann Arbor Junior Wildcats and the Dearborn Heights Junior Redskins. He was an active member of the Michigan High School Coaches Association, the Black Coaches Association and in 1985 “Invincible 7” became a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. Often referred to as the “Gentle Giant” Rufus had a heart of gold and his smile lit up any room. There was something magnetic about him; he never met a stranger, loved unconditionally and non-judgmentally. An active listener, kind spirit who left an indelible mark on this world. Words that best describe him; humble, servant, dreamer and doer. His legacy will live on through the lives of your students, athletes, family and friends. He answered the Master’s call on Friday, August 7, 2020; may he rest in eternal peace. Job well done, good and faithful servant; well done, Coach Ru!
Rufus was preceded in death by his father, Rufus Pipkins, grandparents Felton & Duerell Sparks and Fannie Canada. Mother in love Annie Blair and Father in love Samuel Johnson. Aunts Rosalee Bard, Ella Johnson, Bettie Calloway, Pamela Canada and Margaret Jolly. Uncles Felton Sparks, Jr., William Scott, Jr., Alphonsie Smith, Robert Pipkins and Joseph Morgan. Loving cousin Latchie Washington Chesney.
He leaves to cherish his memory - wife, Sheree Pipkins; mother Annie Sparks Robinson, sister Dietra (Rawleigh) Madlock and brother Ray (Jackie) Pipkins; his daughters, Shala Pipkins, Arielle Pipkins, Kagyn Powell; sons Malcom Pipkins, Deve’re (Ashley) Pipkins, Tony (Mercy) Jackson and Ky’ell Williams; grandchildren Cayden Pipkins, Brayden Franklin, Camryn Pipkins, Isaiah Pipkins, Zuri Pipkins, Noah Pipkins and Lilly Jackson; aunts Vivian Scott, Shirley (Gene) Nuckolls, Barbara Pipkins and Joe Ann Chism; uncles Everitt (Renee) Pipkins and Eddie (Deb) Canada; loving cousins raised as siblings; Tobin (Myra) Williams and Tracey (Gregory) McKinney; brothers in love; Michael Blair, Keith Blair, Tyrone Blair, Anthony (Simone) Blair, and Gerard Weddington; nieces Area Winters and Rashonda Pipkins; nephews Jabri Pipkins, Preston (Shaela) Madlock, Ray Pipkins, Jr., Jalen Madlock and Javion Madlock; his circle of love; Reverend Robert (Jeanette) Williams, James Smith, John (Sabrina) Nettles, Spencer (Violet) Gardner, Steve Sommers and Coach Lamanzer Williams.
Cemetery
Tri County Cremation Services
Ypsilanti MI
US
Memorial Service
Monday, August 17, 2020
11:00 AM -
St. Mary Missionary Baptist Church
561 Second Avenue
Ypsilanti MI 48197
US
Funeral Home
C&H Community Home for Funerals - Lucille's Memorial Chapel
411 S. Adams St.
Ypsilanti MI 48197
US
(734) 482-9889
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