David Ruffin Brothers Quincy B and Jimmy Ruffin, The Hidden Bits On The Family

David Ruffin had four siblings altogether, two brothers, Quincy B and Jimmy Ruffin, and two sisters, Reada Mae and Rosine.

Ruffin’s birth took place in the remote location of Whynot, Mississippi. It is a rural unincorporated territory that has no local governing bodies. He was born Davis Eli Ruffin on January 18, 1941, to a Baptist minister Elias “Eli” Ruffin (father) and Ophelia Ruffin (mother). 

His grandfather John Ruffin was an American Civil War veteran who migrated to Alabama from Bertie County, North Carolina, with her grandmother Clara Ruffin. Later, David’s parents moved from Alabama to Mississippi. 

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David was the third-born son of Elias and Ophelia. Among his siblings, his elder brother Quincy B. Ruffin was born on July 22, 1929, and took his last breath on October 10, 2015, at 86. He was known by many names, a scholar, father, gentleman, author, war hero, and a child of God.

Although Quincy had to suffer a lot in his early days, his adult life was not much different, to be honest, but he did not let all those painful experiences halt his life. Instead, he has achieved many things and lived his life to the fullest.

Jimmy Ruffin was another elder brother of David Ruffin. Like David, Jimmy was also an American soul musician who gave several hits from the late 60s to the early 80s.

Born on May 7, 1936, Jimmy Ruffin’s most successful records were “Hold On To My Love” (1980) and “What Becomes of the Brokenhearted” (1966). Jimmy died in November 2014, aged 78, at Las Vegas Hospital.

David Ruffin was married twice and had four kids. His first wife was Sandra Barnes, and later, he married Joy Hamilton in 1976.

David has been with so many women throughout his life that it is tough to keep a tab. He had three kids with Sandra, namely Cheryl, Nedra, and Kimberly. His daughter Nedra died of Covid-19 in May 2021. In 1964 he met Genna Sapia, with whom he had a son David Eli Ruffin, Jr.

Later, David started dating Tammi Terrell in 1966, but upon discovering that David was already married, she broke up with him. David got more rude and aggressive towards Terrell as his drug addiction intensified. Terrell broke their relationship in 1967 when Ruffin struck her head with his motorcycle helmet. 

David was also infamously known for his abusive behavior and foul treatment of women. Genna Sapia wrote “A Memoir: David Ruffin—My Temptation,” which depicts Ruffin’s infidelity and violent conduct.

Breaking NEWS: COVID Kills David Ruffins’ Daughter – Nedra Ruffinhttps://t.co/Wzd0DcUdT8

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During a concert in 1968, after he was fired from Temptations, outraged David stole the mic from Dennis Edwards.

David had a hard time working with Temptations as he started to make unnecessary amendments in favor of him. The tension between the two parties grew to a peak in 1968. And on June 27 that year, David was fired from the band. 

He was replaced by a former Contours, Dennis Edwards. Dennis has maintained a good relationship with the band and with David too. So at first, Davis was very positive about his replacement and has encouraged Dennis personally.

But during one concert, David went furious, walked up the stage, and grabbed the mic out of Dennis’s hand when the band started playing Ruffin-era hit songs.