The home, just a couple of blocks off McNichols, is still in good condition and has a new owner. But that did not stop David Ruffin Jr. from visiting it and taking photos of his childhood home. He and his sisters, Nedra Ruffin, Kimberly Ruffin, and Cheryl Ruffin-Robinson, were some of the many Ruffin family members in attendance, celebrating the life of their famous father.

“I lived in this house more than my daddy, because he was traveling all the time,” laughed Ruffin. “I have so many memories on this block and when I was looking through the windows of my former home, I thought about the times my dad and sisters had Christmas here and it’s always good to come back here. I hope one day that I can regain that property on what is now David Ruffin Avenue.”

Born Davis Eli Ruffin in the rural unincorporated community of Whynot, Mississippi, 15 miles from Meridian, Ruffin was the third born son of Elias “Eli” Ruffin, a Baptist minister, and Ophelia Ruffin.

Ruffin’s storied musical career began singing in a traveling gospel group with his family and in the church choir. He moved to Detroit as a teenager to pursue music career, where his brother Jimmy was doing the same. Ruffin first came to prominence as a lead singer for the Temptations in 1964 under Berry Gordy and Motown Records.

During his time with the group, which consisted of Otis and Paul Williams, Eddie Kendricks, and Melvin Franklin, Ruffin had much success producing numerous hit singles and albums on both the R&B and Pop charts. Some of the Temptations’ hits during Ruffin’s era from 1964-1968 included “My Girl”, “Since I Lost My Baby”, “Ain’t Too Proud to Beg”, and “I Wish It Would Rain”, among other hits.

As a solo artist, Ruffin recorded hits such as 1973’s “Common Man” and 1975’s “Walk Away From Love.”