Laney Walker in Augusta in Richmond County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)

The Honorable John H. Ruffin, Jr.

1934-2010

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, June 10, 2023

1. The Honorable John H. Ruffin, Jr. Marker

Inscription. A native of Waynesboro, Ga., he graduated from Morehouse College and Howard University School of Law. A pioneering attorney and judge, he filed and won the lawsuits that desegregated the Richmond County School System, the Augusta Police Department, and the Augusta Municipal Golf Course.

He had several black firsts: attorney admitted to the Augusta Bar Association, chief judge of the Georgia Court of Appeals, and judge of the Superior Court and the Juvenile Court of the Augusta Judicial Circuit.

A former president of the Augusta NAACP, he chaired the U. S. Civil Rights Commission Advisory Committee and served as a member of the Judicial Nominating Commission of the State of Georgia. He was inducted into the Gate City Bar Association (Atlanta) and the National Bar Association halls of fame.

Erected by Augusta Historical Monument Society.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Civil Rights • Law Enforcement. In addition, it is included in the Georgia - Augusta African-American History Walk series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1934.

Location. 33° 27.93′ N, 81° 58.751′ W. Marker is in Augusta, Georgia, in Richmond County. It is

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in Laney Walker. Marker is on Laney Walker Boulevard west of 12th Street, on the right when traveling east. Marker is on the Augusta African-American History Walk, in front of Tabernacle Child Development Center. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1230 Laney Walker Blvd, Augusta GA 30901, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Rev. Nathaniel T. Young, Sr. (a few steps from this marker); Dr. James Edward Carter Jr. (a few steps from this marker); Dr. James Edward Carter (a few steps from this marker); William Carpenter, Sr. (within shouting distance of this marker); Rev. Dr. Charles Spencer Hamilton (within shouting distance of this marker); Tabernacle Baptist Church (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Dr. Charles T. Walker (about 400 feet away); Frank Garvin Yerby (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Augusta.

Also see . . . Ex-judge, civil rights figure Ruffin dies at 75. News obituary on the legal legend, whose name now graces the county's judicial center. (Sylvia Cooper, The Augusta Chronicle, posted Jan. 30, 2010) (Submitted on June 29, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, June 10, 2023

2. The Honorable John H. Ruffin, Jr. Marker

John H. Ruffin, Jr. image. Click for full size.

Georgia Court of Appeals (Public Domain)

3. John H. Ruffin, Jr.

He sat on the appellate bench from 1994 to 2008, including as chief justice in 2005-06.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 29, 2023. It was originally submitted on June 29, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 133 times since then and 59 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 29, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.