T.J. Vaughn

T. J. Vaughn, 86, of Poplar Bluff died Sunday, June 14, 2009 at Westwood Hills Healthcare Center in Poplar Bluff.

Mr. Vaughn was born May 16, 1923 in Hayti. He was a member of Collins Chapel General Baptist Church in Poplar Bluff, and was a retired automobile dealership mechanic. Mr. Vaughn served with the U. S. Navy during WWII and received the American Area Medal, Victory Medal, Asiatic Pacific (2 Stars) and Unit Citation. He enjoyed fishing and hunting.

On April 12, 1941 he married Helen E. DePriest in Ark. She survives.

Other survivors include two children: Carolyn S. Anderson and husband Larry of Sioux Falls, SD and Bill W. Vaughn and wife Jan of Holts Summit; four grandchildren: Gus Anderson, Carrie Thurner and husband Josh, Derek Vaughn and Andrea Summers and husband Eric; three great-grandchildren: Ashtin Vaughn, Tyler Thurner and Jonathan Thurner; two sisters: Ella Davis of Barron Springs, Mich. and Hazel Handley of St. Louis; and brothers: James Vaughn and wife Bonnie of Poplar Bluff and Mack Vaughn and wife Bobbie of Blytheville, Ark.

His parents, Johnnie and Bessie (Thomas) Vaughn, a daughter, Linda L. Thomas, two sisters, Tennie Evett and Maxine Fleming and two brothers, Louis Vaughn and Harley Vaughn preceded Mr. Vaughn in death.

Visitation will be from 6 - 8 p.m. Wednesday at Cotrell Funeral Chapel. The funeral service will be at 10 a.m. Thursday in the Chapel with the Rev. Willis Smith officiating. Burial with full military honors will follow at Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Poplar Bluff.