Herschel Jerry Vaughn

Herschel Jerry Vaughn, age 73, of Cartersville, GA, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, August 20, 2025. He was born in Fairmount, GA, on September 2, 1951, to the late Charles and Doris Cantrell Vaughn.

At the age of six, Jerry moved to Cartersville and was raised in the Taylorsville area, where he worked on the family farm and attended the old Taylorsville School.

Jerry was a kind, humble, and hardworking man who never had a harsh word for anyone. He dedicated 39 years of service to Shaw Industries, Plant 13, before retiring. Jerry had a deep love for fishing, especially in the mountains of Cherokee, North Carolina. He enjoyed walking at Dillinger Park with his beloved late wife, Mickey, and sharing meals at Ross Diner. His greatest joy, however, was spending time with his grandchildren—whether barbequing, cooking out, or casting a line in the water. To them, he was lovingly known as “Pawpaw Jerry.”

He was preceded in death by his wife of 50 years, Mildred “Mickey” Blackman Vaughn; his sister, Glenda Miller; brothers, Dean Vaughn and brother-in-law Ronnie Godfrey; and sister-in-law, Bernice Vaughn.

Jerry is survived by his devoted daughter, Kimberly Vaughn Jacobs (Greg); grandchildren, Randy Shepherd (Jessica), Bridget Tucker (Josh), Donald Shepherd (Hailey), and T.J. Jacobs; and great-grandchildren, Colby Tucker, Adam Shepherd, Bristol Shepherd, Brinley Shepherd, and Camden Degner. He is also survived by his brother, Ed Vaughn; sisters, Mary Vaughn and Sandra Roberson; and special sisters-in-law, Lillie Godfrey, Marion Smith (Daniel), and Tammy Hensley (Willie), as well as numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews.

A gathering of family and friends will be held on Friday, August 22, 2025, from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Owen Funeral Home. The family will also gather beginning at 12:00 PM on Saturday, August 23, 2025, with a Celebration of Jerry’s Life to follow at 1:00 PM at Owen Funeral Home. The service will be officiated by Bro. Michael Cantrell and Bro. Bubba Smith. Burial will take place at Sunset Memory Gardens.

Pallbearers will be Randy Shepherd, Donald Shepherd, Josh Tucker, Will Vaughn, Tyler Vaughn, and Jacob Vaughn. Honorary pallbearers include Richard Vaughn, Travis Vaughn, Colby Tucker, and Adam Shepherd.

Jerry’s legacy of love, gentleness, and strength will continue to live on through those who knew and cherished him.