She was preceded in death by her husband and her parents, James Alton Hatcher and Jennie (Virginia) Ash Hatcher. Audrey is survived by her daughter, Nancy Vaughan DeVilbiss and her husband, Rick, her son, John Willis Vaughan, Jr. and his wife, Brenda, her son, Thomas Alton Vaughan and his wife Melissa, and her son, Stephen Lee Vaughan and his wife Leslie. In addition, she is survived by twelve grandchildren plus spouses including Laura and Stephen DeVilbiss, Kenneth Masloski, Matt, and Mason Vaughan, Anne and Robert Thompson, Mary and Winston Graves, Ben and Katherine Vaughan, Bobby and Payal Vaughan, David Vaughan, Christopher and Natalia Vaughan, Andrew Vaughan and Melissa Fricke, Patty and Brian Pohuski and Timothy Vaughan. She is also survived by four great-grandchildren, Virginia and Ainsley Thompson, Madison Pohuski and Holt Vaughan; as well as her nephew, Lee Vaughan and his wife, Charlotte; and her niece, Ruth Vaughan, plus three great nephews and their families.
Audrey always placed family first followed closely by her support and love for her many friends, her church and many community and civic organizations. She graduated from Jefferson High School in Roanoke and then attended Madison College where she was a member of the Alpha Sigma Alpha sorority, the Clara Barton Club and a cabinet member of the YWCA. Audrey finished its curriculum in pre-nursing and pre-medical education. From there, she transferred to Duke University where she received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing and met her future husband, John, who was there courtesy of the United States Navy. John and Audrey enjoyed each other’s company and found they had much in common as two children of the Great Depression.
Following graduation and the conclusion of World War II, Audrey and John married in 1947 and started their lives together in Roanoke. Audrey became an instructor and then the director of the nursing school at Roanoke Memorial Hospital. As John continued in his career with Appalachian Power Company, Audrey took joy in raising a family and cherished her involvement in any and all activities associated with family and community service including being a Sunday School teacher, Den Mother, and other activities close to her heart.
Audrey had a keen interest in knowledge and learning. She was an avid student of history and as such enjoyed her membership and leadership roles in such organizations as the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution, the United Daughters of the Confederacy, and as a member of the Real Great-Granddaughters Club of the Virginia Division of the United Daughters of the Confederacy. Audrey was a long-time member of The Fortnightly Club of Roanoke, Va. whose members and activities she loved. She was also a member of Grandin Court Baptist Church where she was a faithful servant in many roles over her lifetime.
Audrey tried to be a friend to all and never met a person that she considered a stranger. She was a loving and fierce advocate for her family and a supportive and helpful partner in a marriage that lasted 68 years. She loved and was loved and will be greatly missed but always fondly and lovingly remembered.
The family would like to thank Lakewood Manor in Richmond and the many new friends Audrey met there for their care, support and friendship. Also, thanks are given to Comfort Keepers and Medi Home Hospice for their loving and compassionate care during Audrey’s final days.
A graveside service will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, March 23, 2019, at Fair View Cemetery, 3300 Melrose Ave., NW, Roanoke, Va. 24017. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorials be made to Grandin Court Baptist Church, 2660 Brambleton Ave., SW, Roanoke, Va. 24015 or to The Rescue Mission of Roanoke at 402 4th Street, SE, Roanoke, Va. 24013, or to your favorite charity.
