Ruffies Harold Nelson "Newt' was born on October 26, 1951, to Velma Davis and Ruben Nelson in Oklahoma City, OK. He was the fourth child of eight children born to the union. Ruffies attended Dewey Elementary School, Moon Middle School in 1968. Ruffies was a proud child who played football and was even offered a scholarship for his football career!

He followed on with his career as a professional boxer. Ruffies continued with his career doing upholstery for many years. He was also a machinist and loved doing post work. Ruffies loved spending time with his family and friends. Rufus was the life of the party! (Newt) loved old school music and loved to dance and sing and always kept a smile!

Ruffies met a woman named Sharon Matthew in 1969. They had a beautiful baby girl named Tina Gray. He continued his journey and met a woman named Margaret Williams and had a beautiful baby girl name Thelma Williams. He continued his journey and fell in love and married a beautiful lady in 1979 named Karen Adams! And had three beautiful children, Velma Nelson and the twins Rufus Nelson Jr. and Karen Nelson Jr.! In 1984 Rufus continued his journey and met Shari Oakes and had a beautiful boy named Alberto Oakes!

He continued his life's journey and met a lady named Mona Hunt. Ruffies Nelson was not a Pillar of the Nelson family. Rufus was a refuge for the family in our time of the storm! Ruffies was more than a father, brother or uncle and friend! God used Ruffies to reunite his family and mend broken relationships after so many years of caring for us all. it was our joy and privilege and honor to take care of Rufus and we continue to thank God for every minute, second and hour God gave us with our father! Although we miss him (clearly), we rejoice in knowing his absence from the body means he's present with the Lord!

Ruffies was preceded in death by his mother, Velma Davis; his father, Ruben Nelson; his great-grandma, Mary Wytch; his brothers Grady Wytch, Johnny McShe'll Nelson, Extion Nelson and Harold Nelson; his sisters, Violet Wilkes and Mary Holmes; brother-in-law, Javan Holmes; nephew, Mike Holmes; great-nephew, Rodney Hides; Thelma Holbrook; his nephew, Cocktail Nelson; great-neice, Nicosha Nelson; and sister, Olivia Davis.

Rufus leaves behind to rejoice in is homegoing, four daughters: Tina Gray (James Gray) of Oklahoma City, Thelma Williams of Texas, Velma Nelson (Anthony Reicher) of Oklahoma, and Karen Nelson (Leonardo Hare) of Texas; two sons, Ruffies Nelson, Jr. and Alberto Oakes, both of Oklahoma City; 13 grandchildren; Tiffany Gray, Javon Gray, Anthony Nelson, Antwan Nelson, Tristan Nelson, Jr. (twins), Diamond Smiley, Dymail Reicher, Tristan and Henry, Krishna Skanes Jr., Miracle Reicher, Treasure Reicher, Alberto Stevenson; great-grandchildren: Brandon Gray , Lay Lonii Smiley, King Reicher, Anthony Reicher, III, Harmonii Hull, Princestan Henry, KyMir Skanes, Brandon Gray, and Serenity Gray; brother, Van Nelson (Phyllis Nelson) of Oklahoma City; two sisters, Deborah Jackson (Joe Jackson) of Oklahoma City and Eleca Goldsby of Spencer; and a host of nieces and nephews, cousins, and other relatives and friends.