Puddie Eason Ruff Pavilion Dedication

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – A new municipal tennis pavilion in Tupelo pays tribute to a beloved coach and mentor.

The Puddie Eason Ruff Pavilion was dedicated at Rob Leake City Park this evening.

Eason Ruff taught tennis for years at Tupelo High School. When she passed away two years ago, family and friends asked for memorials to be sent to the Tupelo Sports Council to help renovate the city’s tennis infrastructure.

Recently, a fundraising drive was launched to help pay for $108,000 pavilion.

The two story structure serves as an observation deck and tournament headquarters.

Funding for the pavilion came from a bond issue and from the Tupelo Tennis Association and a recent fundraiser.