Edna Whittington Vaughan

Edna Whittington Vaughan November 1, 1924 – January 16, 2019 Edna Whittington Vaughan, 94 affectionately known as Gran-Gran, of Wilson passed away Wednesday. Her funeral services will be conducted at 3:30 p.m. Saturday at Joyner’s Funeral Home, Wilson. Entombment will follow in Maplewood Cemetery. The Rev. Charles Robl and Rev. Steve Strickland will officiate. The family will receive friends Saturday afternoon from 2 – 3:15 p.m. at Joyner’s Funeral Home, 4100 Raleigh Road Parkway, Wilson and other times at the home of her son, Bill Vaughan. Edna was born November 1, 1924 in Harnett County to William Carl and Verta Blackman Whittington. The oldest of nine children, she graduated from Coats High School in 1941 and Raleigh Business School in 1942. Edna came to Wilson to work for the Employment Security Commission and then on to Sealtest Dairy as Secretary to the manager. In 1949 she and her husband, Harvey opened Vaughan’s Jewelry and Music Store in downtown Wilson which she operated until 1976. Edna depended on the Lord throughout her life and was a faithful, dedicated member of Grace Baptist Church where she served as President and Secretary of the Fidelis Sunday school class and President of the Women’s Missionary Union. She was an active member of the Order of the Eastern Star-Wilson Chapter 145 where she held the office of Secretary for twenty-five years and held many local, state and national offices as well as Mother Advisor to the Order of the Rainbow Girls. Edna served as President and Secretary of the Altrusa Club and served as Secretary of the Business and Professional Women’s Club and Shrinettes. She also held membership in the Wilson Woman’s Club. Edna served her community by volunteering in the Wilson Medical Center Gift Shop, and while she was at Parkwood Village Assisted Living, she represented the residents on the Resident’s Council. Edna loved and was loved very much by her family, which was the source of her greatest joy and comfort. She was an excellent cook and relished in providing delicious meals to all who came to her table. Edna’s uncompromising moral character, honesty and decency were unparalleled. She was a gracious lady, uncommonly wise and her devotion to her family lit a spark of love that will be remember always. Edna is survived by her son, Bill Vaughan and wife, Kathy of Wilson; grandson, Tripp Vaughan and wife, Anna Belle of Wilson; granddaughter, Kara Vaughan Borders of Wilson ; great-granddaughter, Stella A. Borders; great-grandson, William Vaughan; sisters, Rena McLamb of Clinton and Jackie Bass of Dunn; brothers, Delano Whittington of Raleigh, Oliver Whittington of Raleigh, Jerry Whittington and wife, Lynn of Willow Springs, Vincent Whittington and wife, Linda of Glenco, Alabama and Don Whittington and wife, Deborah of Dunn and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband of fifty-seven years, William Harvey Vaughan, Sr.; brother, Carl Whittington and wife, Edna; sisters-in-law, Earlene Whittington, June Whittington and brothers-in-law, Bobby McLamb, Bruce West and Graham Bass. Edna Whittington Vaughan will be remembered as a loving, hopeful, humble and helpful person to all who knew her. Due to her many physical challenges, she was truly an inspiration to all who knew her during the last years of her life. The Vaughan Family is most appreciative to Dr. Barton and her staff and the staff at Parkwood Village for many years of loving care. In lieu of flowers, please consider memorial in Edna’s memory to Grace Baptist Church, 202 Kincaid Avenue N, Wilson, North Carolina 27893 or the First United Methodist Church, PO Box 1423, Wilson, North Carolina 27894. Condolences may be directed to Joyner’s Funeral Home at www.joyners.net.