Elijah J. Vaughan

Elijah Junior Vaughan, affectionately known as “John Henry,” “Bunk,” and “E.J.” to family, friends, and colleagues, was born September 29, 1949, to the late Elijah Vaughan Sr. and the late Dora Bishop Vaughan in Murfreesboro, NC. He spent his childhood and teenage years in the Carver’s Park neighborhood of Murfreesboro, graduating from C.S. Brown High School in Winton, NC, in 1967.

After graduating from high school, Elijah joined the United States Air Force. He served his country in Vietnam as a Security Police Officer during the Vietnam War, rising to the rank of Sergeant before being honorably discharged. He also spent time in Thailand, a place he came to love and returned to several times in the years after his military service. After completing his military service, he attended Elizabeth City State University in Elizabeth City, NC, where he earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Industrial Arts in 1977. During his time at ECSU, he was initiated into Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc., Lambda Gamma Chapter, forming a bond he cherished throughout his life.

After completing his undergraduate education, Elijah moved to Maryland to begin his career in the Prince George’s County Public School System as a special education teacher in industrial arts at Princess Garden Special Center and Margaret Brent Regional Center in New Carrollton, and later at Suitland and Forestville High Schools. Following his retirement from teaching, he joined the United States Postal Service, beginning as a mail carrier and later advancing to Data Site Specialist, a position he held until his retirement in 2013. Throughout his teaching and USPS careers, he cultivated lifelong friendships that endured until his passing.

Beyond his professional life, Elijah carried the same dedication and sense of purpose into his community and social causes. His activism included advocating for human and workers’ rights and speaking out against racism. In 1995, he attended the Million Man March in Washington, DC, joining thousands in a powerful demonstration of Black solidarity and empowerment–an experience he held in great pride.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Delois Robinson Vaughan, with whom he shared a loving and devoted relationship until her passing in 1995. He was also preceded in death by a daughter, Ava Flood, and a son, Delton Curtis, as well as four siblings: two sisters, Dorothy “Darnell” Vaughan and Mamie “Peaches” Witherspoon, and two brothers, Harry C. Vaughan and Daniel Vaughan.

He leaves to cherish his memory three children: his son Omar Vaughan of Harrellsville, NC, his daughters, Ivy Caudle of Scotland Neck, NC, and Nivia Divincenzo of Burtonsville, MD. He also leaves eight grandchildren: Mikhail and Akeeon Flood (Ava) of Durham, NC; Felita Williams of Greensboro, NC; Kevin Privott Jr. of Ahoskie, NC; and Kaniah Privott of Williamston, NC; Brandon Lugo, Christian Divincenzo, and Zadie Evans, all of Burtonsville, MD, as well as six great-grandchildren. He is also survived by three brothers, Matthew and Gregory Vaughan of Boston, MA, and Paul Vaughan of Germany, along with a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, and beloved friends.

A Gathering of Family and Friends will be held on December 7, 2025, at 12:30 pm at Fort Lincoln Funeral Home, located at 3401 Bladensburg Rd, Brentwood, MD 20722, USA.

A Celebration of Life will follow at 1:00 pm at the same location.

The Committal will take place at 2:00 pm at Fort Lincoln Funeral Home & Cemetery, also located at 3401 Bladensburg Rd, Brentwood, MD 20722, USA.