Everett Ray Vaughn

Everett “Ray” Vaughn was born to Wright and Dorothy Vaughn in Kingsport, TN on Monday, May 4, 1936. He is preceded in death by both of his parents, his brother Paul Vaughn, and his sister Mary Jane Vaughn Smith. At 86 years old, he passed away peacefully at his home on Wednesday, January 11, 2023. He was surrounded by his loving family and will be dearly missed.

Ray is survived by his wife Thelma “Jean” Vaughn (Locust Grove, GA), his daughter Tracy Vaughn Green and her husband Colin (Locust Grove, GA), his daughter Karen Vaughn Hayes and her husband Ed (Locust Grove, GA), his grandchildren Raymond Wood (Atlanta, GA), Rebecca Wood (Locust Grove, GA), Tyler Hayes (Locust Grove, GA), and Tiffany Hayes (Locust Grove, GA), his nephew Destin Ray Smith (Austin, TX), his niece Cynthia Smith Garrison (League City, TX), cousins, and other relatives.

Ray grew up during The Great Depression Era in Kingsport, TN. From an early age, he loved baseball, and he was a star pitcher for the Blountville Tigers in high school. He also enjoyed playing golf and tennis. He served his country in the United States Navy during the 1950s. Afterwards, he attended East Tennessee State University. In the 1960s, he met his wife Jean when they worked together at The Kingsport Press. He was a lifelong fan of the University of Tennessee Volunteers football team, and because of that, orange was always his favorite color. He moved his family to the Atlanta, GA area in the 1970s. He worked as a Production Accountant with Georgia Pacific Corporation and retired in 2001. He was an avid fan of the Atlanta Braves baseball team to the end.

Ray was a member of New Hope Church where his funeral service will be held on Tuesday, January 17, viewing at 10am and service promptly at 11am. His body will be laid to rest at the adjacent New Hope Church cemetery. Immediately following the service, friends and family are encouraged to attend a meal in the fellowship hall as we celebrate his life here and his passing into the eternal presence of God. Cards and flowers are both welcomed and appreciated: Vaughn Family c/o New Hope Church, 1960 New Hope Road, Locust Grove, GA.

Ray’s favorite Bible verse was: "Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name. He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honor him. With long life will I satisfy him, And show him my salvation.” Psalm 91:14-16 KJV

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.haistenfunerals.com for the Vaughn family.