Thomas was educated in the Lee County School System and graduated from Sanford High School in Opelika, Alabama as the Class of 1962. Many people knew Thomas for his keen sense of humor. After graduation, Thomas began working at the Eagle & Phenix Textile Mill in Columbus, Georgia. In 1968, he went to work with Ampex Recording Media Corporation, where he worked until 1971. After Ampex, Thomas later returned to the textile industry and began working at Fieldcrest-Cannon Textile in Columbus, Georgia, where he retired from in 2006.
Thomas loved farming, raising livestock, working on cars, reading, and hunting. He married Ethel Luke Williams on June 28, 1972 and they were married for 52 years. Thomas symbolized his dedication to Jehovah by water Baptism on May 6, 2001 and he remained faithful until his death.
Thomas fell asleep in death on Thursday, September 5, 2024 and now awaits a resurrection in God’s new world.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Thomas Chester Vaughn and Willie Mae Johnson Vaughn; brother, William Wade Vaughn; and two sisters, Sadie Vaughn Anderson and Juanita E. Vaughn.
He is survived by his loving wife, Ethel Luke Vaughn; his four children; Stanley W. Vaughn of Phenix City, Alabama; Charlene R. Vaughn-Diaz (José) of Atlanta, Georgia; Douglas Tolbert of Huntsville, Alabama; and Mark J. Baker of Cleveland, Ohio; one brother, Emmett J. Vaughn (Virginia) of Salem, Alabama; three sisters, Amelia Vaughn Johnson (William) of San Mateo, California; Ethel Vaughn Reese (Willie) of Valley, Alabama; and Gloria Vaughn Canty (John) of Salem, Alabama; one sister-in-law, Gloria Adams (Bernard Jr.) of Smiths, Alabama; one brother-in-law: Benjamin Luke (Heidi) of Heinsberg, Germany; seven grandchildren, Jasmine D. Sanders of Savannah, Georgia, Raven M. Willis of Atlanta, Georgia, Kendall V. Willis (Mohamed Diop) of Mountain View, California, Rashaad S. Vaughn of Colorado Springs, Colorado and Cathy Holt of Loachapoka, Alabama; fourteen great-grandchildren including, Jakea L. Sanders, Javeah S. Sanders, Journey B. Sanders, Kahlani A. Vaughn, and Idris A. Diop; as well as a host of nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, great-great nieces, great-great nephews, cousins, and friends.
The Vaughn Family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude for the love and support that they received during this time from the doctors, nurses, CNA's, and staff at Gentiva Hospice as well as their family and friends. Those included are: Daphne Daniel, Anita Johnson (niece), Renea Kendrix, Ashley Stevens, Nethia Stevens, and Patricia Greathouse
A Visitation for Family and Friends will be held on Thursday, September 12, 2024 from 2:00PM-5:00PM EST at Striffler-Hamby Mortuary, 3770 Highway 431 North, Phenix City, Alabama 36867. A Funeral Service will be held on Friday, September 13, 2024 at 2:00PM EST at Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witness, 3827 Lee Rd. 179, Salem, Alabama 36874 and Burial will follow at Mercer Cemetery, 24 Mercer Dr, Salem, Alabama 36874.
Repast will be held on Friday, September 13, 2024 from 4:00PM–7:00PM EST at The Place to Bee Event Center, 2003 Crawford Rd, Phenix City, Alabama 36867.
