Frances Amelia Ruff Morris, a cherished daughter, mother and “MiMi” and beloved lifelong Tupelo citizen, departed this life on Monday, July 15, 2024 from North Miss. Medical Center in Tupelo after a brief illness. Amelia’s wonderful purpose-filled journey of 80 years was marked by extraordinary love, deep commitment to family, humanity and animals and a remarkable zeal and zest for living. Born January 11, 1944 in Tupelo to pioneer Lee County families, her parents were the late Balfour Ruff and Frances Edge Ruff. She and her family were charter members of St. Luke United Methodist Church which she adored and which provided her lifelong faith journey a solid foundation. Amelia attended Tupelo public schools graduating with honors from Tupelo High School in l962 where she was most beautiful and actively involved in THS activities. She attended Livingston College (now University of West Alabama) where she received a degree in teaching. Amelia enjoyed an early career as a teacher at Milam Jr. High in Tupelo. She later engaged with her former husband, Jim Morris, in Morris Sales before securing the position of Manager at Tupelo Aero-a job she really loved and cherished. A beautiful woman inside and out, Amelia carried on family traditions of loving her hometown, promoting the arts and cultural activities in Tupelo her whole life. A perfect “steel magnolia”, she served as a former President and lifelong member of Tupelo Junior Auxiliary. She was an active member of Daughters of the American Revolution and Colonial Dames where she served as President. A lover of animals, Amelia grew up on her family’s farm where she developed a great appreciation of horses riding and showing Tennessee Walking Horses earlier in life. She was an avid Ole Miss Rebel football and baseball fan and enjoyed many trips to the Grove and Oxford. Flowers were her calming safe place and she always kept her yard and home immaculate. Reading all types and styles of literature was her pleasurable hobby and she relished her extensive library in her home. Always inquiring, always kind, always encouraging, always joyful, Amelia’s life made a worthwhile difference in others especially her family, Church, Community and closest circle of friends. For her, the will of God is accomplished.
A service celebrating her life will be held at 2 PM Saturday, July 20, 2024 in the Sadie Holland Memorial Chapel at Holland Funeral Directors-Tupelo with her longtime pastor, Rev. Rob Gill speaking. Private family burial will take place at Lee Memorial Park in Verona. Visitation will begin at Noon Saturday and continue until service time at 2 PM. For those unable to attend, the service may be viewed at hollandfuneraldirectors.com/Live-streaming on Saturday at 2 PM and will be permanently archived thereafter.
Amelia is survived by her two sons, Jimmy “Jim” Morris and partner, Amy Baugh of Brentwood, Tenn and Dr. John Morris, DVM of Tupelo; the boy’s dad, Jim Morris of Tupelo; her grandchildren whom she always doted over, Ellie Morris of Nashville, Tn. and Anna Morris of Franklin, Tn.; Quin Morris and Richard Morris both of Tupelo; several nieces, nephews and their families whom she loved dearly and a host of friends. She was preceded in death by her dad and mom, Balfour and Frances Ruff and her brother, Bill Ruff.
Pallbearers will be Mike Thomas (posthoumously), Ruff Thomas, Glenn Thomas, P.K.Thomas, IV, Tom Flanaghan, Tre’ Luckett, Andy Luckett, David Ruff and Thanasis Nicolau. Honorary pallbearers will be her grandchildren, Ellie, Anna, Quin and Richard.
Memorials may be made to the St. Luke United Methodist Church, 1400 Clayton Avenue, Tupelo, MS. 38804 or to the Tupelo-Lee Animal Shelter, P. O. Box 2143, Tupelo, MS. 38802. Holland Funeral Directors is honored to be serving their friends.
