Willie Mae Littlejohn

WILLIE MAE LITTLEJOHN, age 75, was born on August 3, 1946, to the late Willie Lee and Annie Mae Ruffin, in Savannah, Georgia. She departed this earth to be with the Lord on Thursday, January 6, 2022.

Her family moved from Georgia to Jacksonville, North Carolina where she grew up. Willie Mae confessed her faith in Christ at an early age. As a young adult, she moved to Fort Wayne, Indiana, where she was hired at Fort Wayne State Developmental Center and united with the St. John Missionary Baptist Church, under the leadership of the late Pastor James W. Bledsoe.

At St. John, she was led to work with youth. She mentored young girls in the Red Circle ministry and was instrumental in starting a youth drill team. Willie Mae loved to praise the Lord in song. She was a member of the St. John Mass Choir and also sang with the City-Wide Missionary Choir.

She always had a desire to continue her education. While working full time, she attended Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne and was awarded an Associate of Science degree in 1994.

Willie Mae had a big, generous heart and loved her family dearly. One of her favorite pastimes was keeping up with family on Facebook. After 34 years, she retired from State School and moved her church membership where her eldest son was called to the pastorate.

She was a member of New Life Community Church under the leadership of Pastor Jimmie L. Ruffin and served faithfully, singing with the Praise Team, until her health began to fail.

She was preceded in death by one son, Kassim Littlejohn; two brothers, Willie L. Ruffin and Robert L. Ruffin; one brother-in-love, Kenneth R. Miller Sr.; and two sisters, Jannie Ruffin-Chandler and Mary Simmons.

Willie Mae leaves to cherish her memory: four children, Jimmie L. (Kim) Ruffin, Wesley L. (Dorothy) Ruffin; Dwana D. Johnson and Aaron W. Littlejohn—all of Fort Wayne, Indiana; two sisters, Frankie L. Miller of South Bend, Indiana, and Rachel (Ronald) Richardson of Jacksonville, Florida; nine grandchildren; 16 great grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

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