Vaughan Richardson Cooper

1959-2017

Vaughan Richardson Cooper died Friday, May 5 at her mother’s home after a long and courageous battle with cancer. She was 57.

Laine Vaughan Richardson Cooper was born to Mary Anne Wagstaff Richardson Quin and Robert Richmond Richardson on July 12, 1959. A lifelong resident of Atlanta, she attended Tuxedo Elementary School and was a 1977 graduate of the Lovett School. She attended Sweet Briar College, made her debut with the Atlanta Debutante Club in 1980 and graduated in 1981 from the University of Georgia, where she was a Kappa Kappa Gamma, with a business degree.

Vaughan’s career in the field of Human Resources goes to the heart of her core: caring. She was a trusted advisor, a strong developer of people and a knowledgeable sounding board. She spent 25 years as an HR leader with SouthTrust and Wachovia banks where she was a Senior Vice President of Human Resources with regional responsibility for diversity, employee relations, recruiting, executive coaching and training. For the last decade, she was the Principal of her own HR consulting practice, Human Resources and Common Sense and for 20 years had been associated with ELI (Employment Learning Opportunities) as an executive advisor for human resources and training. At least one friend and colleague teased her about the name of her company saying the kind of sense she had was not common which is what enabled her to blend her roles as leader and friend in professional and personal relationships.

Vaughan was also a Registered Neutral for the State of Georgia and completed Mediation Training at The Justice Center of Atlanta.

For a decade, Vaughan was a valued volunteer at Canine Assistants, where she fostered puppies to become service dogs for children and adults with disabilities. She also helped with fundraising and public relations and was a trusted advisor to the nonprofit’s founder Jennifer Arnold, who said Vaughan taught the puppies “to be brave and kind and willing to help when needed—all the things she was.” When not working, she also enjoyed spending time with family and friends in Cashiers, N.C.

Vaughan’s father and two brothers—Robert Richmond Richardson, Jr. and Mark Wagstaff Richardson—predeceased her. She is survived by her mother, Mary Anne Quin. She is also survived by her nephew, Robert Richmond Weaver; his wife, Karen; and their children: Ryan, Alex and Kate, all of Greenville, SC. She leaves behind two beloved pets: her cat, Elsa, and Fossil, a Canine Assistants “stud dog” she raised to sire more service puppies.

Vaughan was known to be kind, generous and warm with a good sense of humor and a Ph.D. in friendship. She will be remembered as an exceptional judge of character.

The family would like to include their heartfelt love to Pace Cooper, Vaughan’s former brother-in-law who was like a son to Vaughan, for his unending love, devotion and support all the way to the end.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation to Canine Assistants, 3160 Francis Road, Milton, GA 30004 or www.canineassistants.org.

A memorial service will be held at the Cathedral of St. Philip on Wednesday, May 10, at 2:00 p.m.