Kathelene Ruff, 87, of Philadelphia, PA passed away on Monday, October 10, 2022, at the Fairview Nursing and Rehab, in Philadelphia. She was born to the late Junius Taylor and Janie Estelle Gilbert Taylor on June 12, 1935 in Penns Grove, NJ. Kathelene was the wife of Anthony Roger Ruff with whom she shared 55 years of marriage. Kathelene graduated from Penns Grove Regional High School in 1953 and became one of the first African American females to be employed at DuPont in the mid 1950's. Kathelene was later employed at Einstein Medical Center for 35 years until she retired. She was a member of Zion Baptist Church of Philadelphia under the leadership of the late Pastor Leon Sullivan and current pastor Rev. Dr. Chauncey Pierre Harrison. Kathelene enjoyed singing and playing the piano. Her father taught her how to play the piano by ear. She is survived by her husband, Anthony Roger Ruff; sons, Michael Gary Taylor (Terry) and Marcellus Ruff (Alicia); daughter, Belinda Payne-Fuerter; brother, Joseph Taylor (Louella), and sister Wanda Taylor-Riddick; 10 grandchildren; 3 great-grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by one son, Turhan Alan Payne; brothers, Junius Taylor, Daniel "Boone" Taylor, and Harry Taylor; and sister Mary Taylor-James. Services will be held at 11 AM on Wednesday, October 19, 2022, at EWB Funeral Service, 2134 Stenton Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19138. Arrangements were handled by Wright Funeral & Cremation Services, Inc, Coatesville, PA.

Click here on Wednesday, October 19th beginning at 10:45 AM to WATCH THE SERVICE LIVE on Zoom.​ https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84690150438?pwd=nTd9W0gDOj4BPS4FJsZ17MAlF7mcTb.1

Zoom Meeting ID: 846 9015 0438 Passcode: Wright

Interment will be held in Chelten Hills Cemetery, 1701 East Washington Lane, Philadelphia 19138. Condolences may be shared at the guestbook link on this memorial page.

Family and friends may share condolences at the guestbook link on this memorial page.  All are welcome to light a candle in Kathelene's memory.

Flowers can be sent to EWB Funeral Service on the day of the service.