Susan Vaughn

Susan Vaughn, age 74, of Montevallo, Alabama passed away on Tuesday, August 13, 2024. The family and a multitude of friends mourn the passing of Dr. Susan Vaughn. Born October 14, 1949, Dr. Vaughn passed peacefully at her Montevallo home, as she wished, with her beloved dogs Roscoe and Addison nearby. Educated at the University of Montevallo, the University of Alabama, and Case Western Reserve University, Susan was a self-described teacher, social worker, and dog lover. She touched countless lives during the 31 years she taught at the University of Montevallo and remained devoted to the alumni even after her retirement. Susan served UM in many capacities other than as an excellent teacher in the Social Work Program; she was the Social Work Program Director and the Chair of the Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences for over a decade. In these leadership roles, she mentored many faculty and staff, taking them under her wing. Although she had no biological children, she certainly “adopted” many young people over the years; she said that she tried to share wisdom and that they kept her young at heart.

In her professional life, Dr. Vaughn was widely respected. She received the first University of Montevallo Faculty Service Award (2008) and the same year was recognized as the Alabama/Mississippi Social Work Educator of the Year. The Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences honored her with its inaugural Alumni Award, and in 2015, Dr. Vaughn was inducted into the Social Work Hall of Fame.

Susan had several and varied interests. She especially loved dogs, adopting many over the years and pampering them unashamedly. She had the heart of a true social worker, continuing her many volunteer efforts throughout her life. She enjoyed travel, especially trips to the American West with her beloved partner Cindy Crouch and most recently with close friend Sally Smith. She cared deeply for all people, especially those who had fewer advantages than she enjoyed, and deplored injustice. She supported with both finances and time many worthy causes, including her church, educational opportunities and scholarships, and conservation efforts. Those who knew her will remember her for the loyalty, caring concern, and devotion that were hallmarks of her personality.

The legacy of Susan Vaughn is strongly felt by all who knew her; the love that her family and friends feel for her is only surpassed by the love she held in her heart for them.

Survivors include her beloved brother and sister-in-law, Randy and Martha Vaughn; nieces, Jennifer Vaughn, Miranda Lamb, Nicole Smith; nephew, Jason Clark; her partner’s daughter and granddaughter Tommie Lynn Crouch and Isabella Gracelynn Crouch; innumerable friends; and her much loved dogs, Roscoe and Addison. She was preceded in death by her parents, Glyn and Emma Jean Vaughn; Cynthia Crouch, her beloved partner of 25 years; and wonderful dogs, Goofy, Willie, Sophie, Serg, and Sam.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to either the Dr. Susan Vaughn Scholarship Foundation at University of Montevallo Station 6215 Montevallo, AL 35115, St. Andrew's Episcopal Church at 925 Plowman Street Montevallo, AL 35115, or to the Chilton County Humane Society at 139 Shade Tree Drive, Clanton, AL 35045.

Visitation for Susan will be held Tuesday, August 27, 2024 from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, 925 Plowman St Montevallo, AL 35115. A second visitation will be held Wednesday, August 28, 2024 from 9:00 am to 10:00 am at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church with her memorial service immediately following visitation.