Obituary of Bessie McManus Vaughn

Lexington—Mrs. Bessie McManus Vaughn, born May 19, 1925 in Sanford, NC, daughter of Cummins Watkins McManus and Bessie Mae McManus; she died on May 24, 2018, age 93, Lexington, SC.  Ms. Vaughn is the widow of the late Rev. Thomas Earl Vaughn Sr.

She was educated in Sanford High School, Mars Hill College, Furman University, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, and University of South Carolina.  She earned a Master and Specialist degrees in education ad psychology.  She served with her husband in churches in Texas and South Carolina 1945-2005.  She taught children, youth and adult classes, played the organ and piano, and assisting in many ministries.  Her passion was helping children and adults learn to read and she enjoyed seeing them learn and thrive in life.  She taught first grade for 17 years, and was Director of Special Programs for Lexington School District 2; was the school district 1972 “Teacher of the Year”, and served a total of 38 years in SC’s schools.  Mrs. Vaughn is still giving to others in her death through giving her body to the University of South Carolina, Medical School so that medical residents can learn skills needed for their work.  

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, June 30, 2018 to celebrate the life of Mrs. Vaughn at 3:00 PM, in the chapel at Thompson Funeral Home of Lexington, 4720 Augusta Road, Lexington, SC.  The family will receive friends from 2:00 – 3:00 PM Saturday, prior to the service at the funeral home.  In honor of Bessie Vaughn, we are encouraging people to wear her favorite color pink.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in honor of Mrs. Vaughn to the following: Lexington Baptist Church, Missions Program https://lexingtonbaptist.org/ or to The Baptist Foundation of SC, Thomas Earl Vaughn Charitable Gift Annuity # VA005 which assists pastors to have a retirement income.  http://www.sbfdn.org/contact-us/

She is survived by her son, Thomas Earl Vaughn Jr. and (his daughter, Georgia Bess Vaughn);

daughter, Elizabeth V. Freeman (husband, George W. Freeman, daughter, Stacee E. Freeman and son, Christopher G. Freeman and his wife Laura); four great-grandsons, Matthew Scheibler (28), Brandon Bagwell (19), Kale (4) and Zane (7 months) Freeman; daughter, Esther Clonts (husband D. Craig Clonts, daughter, Dani Marie Thomas and her husband Dave; and son, Luke Clonts and his wife Ailsa and a baby girl due in August); four great-grands, Callie (15), Lily (15), Ellie (13) and Charlie (8) Thomas; and Shirley Freeman Davis, an adopted daughter-in-love and dedicated caregiver.

Friends may sign the online guestbook at www.thompsonfuneral.com