The character of Ruby 's younger brother Rufus later grew into Wise Blood 's Hazel Motes .
Ruby 's neighbor , Laverne Watts , was an early rendition of Wise Blood 's Leora Watts .
The character of Ruby 's younger brother Rufus later grew into Wise Blood 's Hazel Motes , and Ruby 's neighbor , Laverne Watts , was an early rendition of Wiseblood 's Leora Watts .