Julia Meadows Gooch Vaughan

DURHAM Mrs. Julia Meadows Gooch Vaughan of S. Mineral Springs Road in Durham was welcomed into Heaven’s gates on September 23, 2013.

Julia was born and raised in Wilton, Granville County, the daughter of the late Eddie and Lizzie Mitchell Gooch. She graduated from Wilton High School and moved to Durham in 1946. She was an active member of Fletcher’s Chapel United Methodist Church, the Fellowship Sunday School Class, the Ruth Circle, and the Young at Heart Senior Citizen’s Group for many years. She was the oldest living member of the church and would have reached 100 years old on November 15, 2013.

Julia was the beloved wife of the late Sam D. Vaughan, Sr. for 76 years, the mother of Sam, Jr. and his late wife, Jane, and John Thomas (Jay) and his wife, Peggy. She had three grandchildren, Vickie Davis and husband, Jerry, Sam III (Chip) Vaughan and wife, Gloria, and Kayla Perry and husband, Rich. Great grandchildren are: Jared and Jenna Davis, Sam IV (Chad) and Lauren Vaughan and Vaughan and Kaylee Perry.

Mrs. Vaughan will be remembered for her devotion to her husband and family, strong Christian faith, and her love of flowers and gardening. She was the last survivor of her eight siblings.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday at 3 p.m. at Fletcher’s Chapel UM Church. Rev. Ray Gooch, Rev. Kris Williams and Rev. Darren Hickerson will officiate.The family will receive friends immediately following the service in the Fellowship Hall. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Active pallbearers will be Jared Davis, Sam Vaughan IV (Chad), Vaughan Perry, Tom McFarland, Mickey Ellis, Wallace Dryden and Gary Gooch. Honorary pallbearers will be the Genesis Sunday School Class.

The family will be at the home of her son, Sam Vaughan, 3209 Medford Road in Durham.

Memorials can be sent to Fletcher’s Chapel UM Church at 2034 Fletcher’s Chapel Road, Durham, NC 27703, or please plant a perennial in her memory and remember Julia as it flourishes and blooms in glory, Just as Julia’s warmth and love shone in the hearts of all she touched.

The family would like to express our appreciation for the many visits, phone calls, and cards that were shared with Julia through the last year as her health declined. She treasured each of them; they meant so much to her.