Springfield, Tennessee - Rufus Thomas Chatman, affectionately known as "Breakdown", was born in Franklin, Kentucky on September 8, 1956 to the late Mary Elizabeth Williams and Rufus Chatman. He left his earthly life to be with God on March 25, 2026 at his residence.

He was educated in the public school system of Franklin, Kentucky. Rufus worked most of his years at Lee Lumber Yard as a forklift driver.

In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his son, Christopher Chatman; Brothers, J. M. Chatman, Jerry Chatman, William Lewis, and Joe Davis.

Rufus leaves to cherish precious memories: his four children, Marcus Chatman, Denise Chatman, Lavonya Chatman, and Micheal King; his six grandchildren, Marcayla Allen, Mya Allen, Jeremiah Chatman, Michael Omari King, Tae-Tae and Tyshon Darden; his five sisters, Lois Lane, Ora Lee Chatman, Ida Chatman, Eunicetine "Frog" Chatman, and Mary Chatman; his brother, Ben (Martha) Wickware; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends; special friends: Sonja Poindexter; his Dawg Pound Friends, Donnie Oldham, Dean Jamison, Belle Yates, Roderick Williams, Curtis Smith.