Rufus W. Bronaugh, Sr.

On Wednesday January 31^st God called our father, Rufus William Bronaugh, Sr. to his heavenly home. Born on March 10, 1930, in Nashville, Tennessee, he was the second born son of the late Gilmore Bronaugh, Sr. and Daisyelle (Beamon) Bronaugh.  Preceding him in death were his brothers Charles, Gilmore, Jr., and a cousin (raised as their brother) William “PeeWee” Beamon. At an early age, Rufus professed his faith in Christ and became a member at Jackson Street M.B. Church, His faith journey also led him to attend Ransom Temple Cumberland Presbyterian Church for a number of years where he served as an Elder. In his later years, he returned to Jackson Street and served as a member of the Deacon Board until his death. He was committed to service in the church and enjoyed his time at the Seasoned Saints monthly meetings before COVID caused those gatherings to end.

A graduate of Pearl High School, he later studied at Tennessee State University.   Rufus was known as a hard worker often holding two jobs.  He began at Genesco, retiring after many years as a supervisor.  He then began working in the Metro School system working until retirement age. Rufus was also a “Mr. Fixit” with a plethora of tools prepared for any type of repair job.

Rufus loved watching TV, especially his favorite soap operas, The Young and the Restless and The Bold and the Beautiful, explaining the details of what was happening in Genoa City and Los Angeles. He also watched football and basketball. Recently he spent more time watching Andy Griffith, Gunsmoke, and Big Brother.

Rufus loved his family, keeping a small address book with the phone numbers and birthdays of family members so that he could be the first to call them on their birthdays – usually as early as 7:00 a.m. In recent years it was important to him to call his children daily, if possible, to make sure everything was okay.  When asked about how he was doing his response was usually, “still kicking but just barely” followed by a big laugh. One of the highlights of his life was to vote and to see the first black man serve as president.

Rufus married Grace Nelson (deceased) and from that union three children were born:  Dr. Kathleen Bronaugh Kennedy, Rufus, Jr. (Deborah) and Roderic Bronaugh (deceased). He then married Mary Helen Cross (deceased) and from that union two children were born: Malinda Bronaugh-Owens (Myles) and Toi Bronaugh (Steven Miller).

Rufus leaves to cherish his memory, a loving wife, Rev. Ruby (Underwood) Bronaugh; three daughters, one son and one stepson Dennis Underwood; seven grandchildren: Dauri Kennedy, Terence Bronaugh, Roderic Bronaugh, Christopher Brumfield, Kimberly Bronaugh, Sondai Owens and Brandee Owens; nine great grandchildren: Joshua, Jasmine, Jaden, Josephine, Terence, Jr., Kailyn, Kaden, Karter and Kharee; one devoted cousin: Sarah Franklin, an adopted daughter-in-law Marian Wilkerson, and a number of other relatives and friends.

Please keep the Bronaugh family in your thoughts and prayers.