Gladys Spratley Ruffin

The Beginning of 10

The most perfect day of the year in Southampton, Ivor, VA was when GOD reached down and blew life into Donna Stringfield-Spratley and William Spratley’s baby girl, Gladys Mae Spratley.  This all began on May 7, 1927.  The stars in alignment with the sun as the clouds moved away for Gladys to breathe her first breath of life that would last for 96 years.  Gladys’ birth was number 10 for her parents.  Her big sisters Sarah Spratley-Hargrave, Ruth Spratley- Fisher, Naomi Spratley, Nellie Spratley-Clarey, Lucille Spratley-Robertson, Polly Spratley-Dunn, and big brothers, Jack Spratley, Cofer, and Roger along with her niece Carrie Spratley-Ruffin,  happily welcomed her into their family.

Gladys’ was happy spending fun time on the farm in Ivor.  Her dad was a farmer. The local farmers would call on William to give medical attention to the farm animals. An animal doctor without the title because of politics during that era.  Her mother was the local mid-wife and seamstress with top chef skills.  Their home was constantly visited by relatives and friends.  Gladys was thrilled to have her niece Irene Spratley-Purdie and her nephew Willie Morris Spratley join the family to be raised by her parents as their own.

Her parents taught the family about GOD and JESUS CHRIST at an early age.  Attending and joining church was a “Must” for all of them. Gilfield Baptist Church was and is still home to the family.

Growing and Going

Life on the farm was of little work for Gladys as she was number 10 and the baby.  Education was another “Must” for Gladys.  She attended public school for people of color in Ivor. Gladys, her siblings, and cousins enjoyed being together for learning and fun.  Her teachers soon realized that Gladys had fast running skills in track.  She was rewarded a certificate as being the fastest track star in the county.  Her family was proud of her ability.  It was difficult to almost impossible for people of color to receive recognition for outstanding achievement on the state level.  Gladys was always running and racing against her cousins.  She completed high school.  Gladys met and married her the love of her life, Johnnie Ruffin of Ivor, VA.

Becoming a Woman and Mother

Gladys and Johnnie gave birth to their only child, Gladoria “Marie” Ruffin.  They relocated to Smithfield, VA for employment at Luters Meat Packing Company.  Gladys and Collin Taylor partnered in organizing the AFL-CIO Labor Union for the employees of the meat packing company.  She traveled through-out the country with George Meany establishing the Union.  She was an active and dedicated member of The I.B.P.O.E Elks of The World Wisteria Temple Lodge 545. She earned the position of Past Daughter Ruler. 

Gladys was part of Westside High School PTA and the Booster’s Club for the band and majorettes.  Participating in the Civil Rights Movement and marches with the Southern Christian Leadership Conference was with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr was dear to her heart.  She went on to support Rev. Ralph Abernathy and invited him to join Pastor Curtis Harris of Gilfield Baptist Church for more representation for the NAACP and The SCLC.  Her voice for the people was strong and heard.  She found more time to continue her education by enrolling in the Paul D. Camp Community College concentrating in Math and Religion. 

Her love for fashion led her to Leggett Department Store becoming a professional lingerie fitter, retailer, and buyer.  She and her neighbor Doretha Wellons were close friends and shared their cake baking skills for the town local grocer.  She loved traveling, fashion, family and her friends.  She, Johnnie, and their daughter,Marie were always finding places to visit and tour. The family continued their membership to Gilfield Baptist as they traveled every Sunday and Wednesday for Worship.  Gladys always felt that she was part of the churches in Smithfield.  She embraced them as they embraced her. Gladys and Johnnie’s true love of life recurred when they became grandparents to Lloyd E. Robinson, III and Donna Maria. Donna’s term of endearment to her grandmother became “Sugarfoot”.   Gladys’ very close friend, Ida Shivers traveled with her to Japan to visit Gladys’ daughter, Marie and Marie’s children.

She was very close to her nieces and nephews and felt that the young people of Smithfield were part of the line-up in being nieces and nephews.  They called her “Aunt Gladys”, especially her Goddaughter, Faith Wellons and Sebastian Wellons who called her “my Gladys”.  A dear friend Shirley Hall Robertson.  Her loyal nieces Louise Fisher-Haskins, Mary Blizzard (known as Sis), Diane Clarey-Shepard, Iris Robinson-Cunningham and her many great nieces and great nephews were all loyal to her. She was known as Mom-Mom to her Grandchildren and great grand children, Isaiah Robinson, Dana Robinson, Marcus Robinson, Jonathan Robinson, Emmanuel Robinson and Ethan Robinson. She doesn’t leave but will always be her daughter, Marie and son-in-law Don A. Dawes. The torch of life will continue to be carried for Gladys.  Her heart and love belong in Ivor and Smithfield.

The circle of her parents is complete. 10 is in.

On Saturday, November 25, 2023 a Viewing will take place from 2-5pm at Shivers Funeral Chapel. The family will share in a time of remembrance and reflection from 4-5pm. A Celebration of Life will be held 1pm Sunday, November 26, 2023 at Gilfield Baptist Church Ivor, VA. The interment will be in the church's cemetery. Please keep the Spratley-Ruffiin Family in your thoughts and prayers.