Margaret Rufus - Obituary

nd I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me. Write this, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, said the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them. Revelation 14:13 After a short stay at the Washington Hospital Center, the doctors informed the family they have done all they can do. Rodney decided the best place for his mom to spend her last days is with her family at his home. Margaret was so excited to have this time with her son, daughter and grandchildren. Margaret Ann (Curtis) Rufus was born in California, Maryland on December 27, 1945. She was the ninth child of John Henry and Helen Rebecca Curtis. She graduated from Banneker High School in Loveville, Maryland in 1963. Margaret continued her education with various schools and obtained certifications and licenses in many fields. Margaret worked for Blue Cross and Blue Shield for eighteen years, Sheet Metal National Health Fund for seven years, Inova Health Systems for eight years and Calvert Memorial Hospital/Civista Medical Center continuing to presume her lifetime career in health/care management until she retired in 2014. Margaret met the love of her life the late Jerry (Jerome) Rufus in September 1963. She moved to Washington DC and later married Jerome on October 27, 1979. They had one son Rodney Roosevelt Rufus the second love of her life. Rodney/Gloria gave her two wonderful grandchildren Quentin and Faith the third and fourth love of her life. Special thanks goes out to Gloria her daughter in law /daughter for her untiring love and devoted care giving by her during her last days. The love and bond they had was like Mother and daughter. Margaret accepted the Lord as her Savior in August 1978. She joined the following churches Lighthouse Full Gospel Mission, Lighthouse Pentecostal and later joined and faithful served at the Galilee Baptist Church under the present leadership of Rev. Dr. Lloyd T. McGriff. She loved the Lord and revealed his goodness every day of her life. Whenever opportunity presented itself she would preach, teach and share his wonderful word. In February 2010, Margaret was diagnosis with 2nd stage breast cancer; she never accepted the diagnosis, but trusted God’s promise that by his striped she was healed over two thousand years ago. God was faithful to his promise she was affirmed cancer free in 2011. During her walk with God, Margaret met four good friends for life and we cannot tell her story without including Theodosia Cooper, Melinda Harvey her closest best friends Evangelist Linda Pierce and Pastor Mechelle Leak. You will meet many friends and acquaintances on this path of life, but true friends can be counted on one hand. I will see you on the other side ladies, in Jesus Name. Margaret loved football, especially the Washington Redskins. Occasionally, she would cook and invite family who loved the Cowboys over whenever they played the Redskins. She also enjoyed cooking, shopping and shoes. Her greatest joy was spending time with her son Rodney, daughter Gloria, grandchildren Quentin and Faith. She was preceded in death by her parents Henry and Helen Curtis, husband Jerome Rufus, three brothers Mason, John and Paul Curtis, and one sister Evelyn Curtis. She leaves to cherish her memory her beloved son Rodney, daughter Gloria, two grandchildren Quentin and Faith. Her siblings Mary Holley, Vincent Curtis (Joyce), Becky Wilson, Alice Allen , Adele Diggs (James), Mary Allen-Rochester (Bill), Calvert Curtis, one God Son Joshua Leak, one God daughter Shelia Allen-Bryant, two best friends Linda and Mechelle, and a host of nieces, nephews, aunt, uncles, cousins and friends. On Monday August 24, 2015 Margaret passed away; Relatives and friends are invited to Margaret's Celebration of Life on Tuesday September 1st from 10am until time of services at Galilee Baptist Church, 2101 Shadyside Ave., Suitland, MD. Interment will follow at Maryland Veterans Cemetery, Cheltenham, MD. Please leave your thoughts and memories of Margaret by signing the guestbook located above.