Johnnie Vaughn

Our precious mama, grandmama, great grandmama, and valued friend to many, Johnnie Fay Vaughn, made her way home to heaven, Wednesday, December 28, 2022, at 90 years of age – 11 months and 5 days after her husband, Gerald passed. They were married 69 years. She told us for several months that she was ready to go be with the Lord. Thankfully, she went peacefully in her sleep. Johnnie was born in Jefferson County, Alabama, on April 30, 1932. Growing up in a home with 6 siblings and industrious parents, she was no stranger to hard work and dedication, which made their mark on her for the rest of her life. She worked as a secretary most of her life, first with a brick company before transferring to Brice Building Company as Mr. Brice’s secretary until retirement. Although working full-time, she was up every morning at 3:00am to fix breakfast for her husband and see him off to work. Then she was up again at 5:30 to dress for work and prepare breakfast for her two children, before taking them to school. Then back home in the evening to prepare supper for the family and go over homework with the children. She did this faithfully every day, without complaining until they were out of school and her husband was retired. Wow! In the early years of her marriage, the 1950s, she accompanied her military husband to various places. After he served as a corporal two years in the army, including the Korean war, they were stationed in Texas for a short while before returning to Alabama. Then they were off again to Detroit, Michigan to work in a printing press. Her son, Jerry was born there. They soon returned to Alabama, where her daughter Karen was born. Her most enjoyable and fulfilling hobbies were her flower gardens and the yard. She had her yard looking like a picture on the front of Better Homes & Gardens. Oh, the pride she took in this. Mom and Dad, after raising their children, Jerry and Karen, took on the role as loving parents raising, from infancy, their oldest grandson, Daniel. The love and care they provided exemplifies who they were at heart. Daniel, his wife Shelly, and their children, Kaitlyn and Kaleb, have been such a blessing to Mom and the whole family as they truly dedicated their lives, these last four years to provide her with loving care. Mom’s life was made joyful by their presence and love. One of her greatest joys was having time with her 4 grandchildren and 10 greatgrandchildren. When they were in the house, a mess of toys in the floor was always welcomed. Her love and pride for each of them was very deep and known to all. It was touching to see how they made her laugh. She was such a blessing to each of us. As one neighbor wrote in a card of condolences; “She was an inspiration to me for 28 years.” She always made us feel loved. Her love was genuine. None of us in the family will ever forget her standing on the front porch, and later sitting in her wheelchair, waving goodbye to us when we had to leave. We love you, Mama, and will always cherish our wonderful memories of you. We rejoice with Heaven for your arrival there where you, along with Dad, are fully experiencing the joy of truly being home. What a welcome-home party with joy unspeakable as you behold your Savior face to face and greet all those who have gone before you. We part with a verse you loved from Psalm 136:1 – “Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! His faithful love endures forever.” Johnnie said a temporary goodbye to those of us left behind: her son, Jerry Vaughn, and daughter-in-law, Teresa, of Claremore, OK; her daughter, Karen Vaughn, of Cropwell, AL; her grandsons, Daniel Jones & wife Shelly, of Lake View, AL, Eric Davis & wife Michelle of Lincoln, AL; Joshua Vaughn & wife Sarah, of Claremore, Ok; and granddaughter, Elishya Cook & husband Jonathan, of Owasso, OK; as well as her great-grandchildren, Kaitlyn, Kaleb, Isabella, Leilani, Joshua, Sophie, William, Jude, Jennavieve & husband Malachi, Avah, Carlie, and Aubrey, in addition to the valued relatives from her husband’s side of the family. A viewing will be held, Saturday, December 31, 2022, from 1-2 pm. The funeral service will follow at 2pm, at Currie-Jefferson Funeral Home in Hoover, Al. The funeral will be conducted by her son, Pastor Gerald (Jerry) Vaughn.