Merle Hornsby Ruff

Merle Hornsby Ruff, age 88, of Yorktown, Virginia passed away on Saturday, January 4th, 2024 to meet her Lord and Savior and many family and friends before her.
She was born in Yorktown, Virginia on August 15th, 1936 to the late Robert T. Hornsby, Sr and Helen Young Hornsby. She was preceded in death by William N. Ruff, her loving husband of 59 years, her son William Thomas “Tommy” Ruff, her brother Robert “Slim” T. Hornsby, Jr, and her best friend Irene “Teddy” Stephens.
Merle graduated from Poquoson High School. She was proud to be a majorette in her high school band. Merle went on to receive a Registered Nursing Degree from Johnston-Willis Hospital School of Nursing, in Richmond, VA., which was her life-long passion.
Merle worked as an RN for over 45 years starting with Dr. Benjamin Herman Bailey and, then his son, Dr. Robert Rives Bailey before retiring in 2003. She always greeted everyone with a genuine smile and her infectious laugh. She did not consider it job as loved being a RN. After retirement, she continued working part-time for many years at Yorktown Family Practice. She spent her lifetime caring and nursing for everyone she knew and made friendships, along the way, that lasted the rest of her life.
She was a member of Crooks United Methodist Church. Her joy in life was her family and friends, and she especially loved her grandson, Bailey. She and Ruff never missed a soccer game, or event, while he was growing up. She and Ruff were longstanding members of the York Kiwanis Club.
She is survived by her daughter Susan Ruff McClure and her husband Jackie; her grandson Bailey W. McClure, her brother Burnley Hornsby, her nephews Roger Hornsby (Lisa), Robert Hornsby (Cindy), and her niece Loralie Sewell (Jimmy), as well as many great nieces and nephews. She also leaves behind two very special people that she considers bonus daugters, Crystal Boyd (Rodney) and Donna Moore (Judson).
A Gathering of Family and Friends for Merle will be held Saturday, January 11th, 2024 from 11:00am to 1:00pm at Amory Funeral Home in Yorktown followed by the funeral service starting at 1:00pm. After the service her family will receive friends and family to celebrate her life at her Daughter’s house, 314 Grafton District Rd, Yorktown, VA. 23692. A private burial will be set for a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the York County Fire and Life Safety, PO Box 532, Yorktown, VA, 23690.