Helen Pauline Vaughn

Helen Pauline Vaughn passed peacefully on August 29th, 2022, in the presence of her family. At 89 years old, it might seem like she left this world with a whimper, but if you knew Helen at all, you know nothing about her was weak. Everything she did from her first cry in this world until her last goodbye was as strong as a roar of a lion. That strength that seemed like she was made of hardened steel didn’t just stay with her through the years. It radiated to anyone close enough to see it. It gave strength and security, like a lighthouse in a storm. This obituary might feel different, but it has to be, because everything about this woman was unique in life and so it must be in death.

Helen was born on September 8, 1932, in Allen, Oklahoma. Her parents, William Marion Hawkins and Fanny Lou Hawkins were sharecroppers and with nine siblings there was always an adventure to be had. She would later weave tales for her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren of amazing stories about her childhood. Somehow, she had a way of using those stories to help someone get through a tough time in their lives. Her natural ability to relate with people made her loved not only by her family, but by entire communities. Her faith in God was not only felt in conversations with her, but in every decision she made. From marrying Charlie D. Vaughn, a local sawmill worker on February 19, 1949, to facing numerous serious health problems in her life, she always believed in kneeling for advice and comfort but always standing proudly afterwards to face whatever life threw at her.  She made someone believe in miracles even if they were skeptical, because she had been a part of so many miraculous moments there was no way to doubt. Helen Vaughn’s entire life was a miracle, and because of that she never wasted a second of it. Whether it was spending time with her family and friends, or just sending a quick text when the Razorbacks were on TV to let someone know she was also watching, she somehow used every moment in life making people feel like they were never truly alone.

That faith and sparkle she had never weakened. Not when her husband Charlie was taken by cancer after over 50 years of blissful marriage in 2004. Even in that tragic moment she still stood proudly of all they had accomplished together and of the family they had built. She spent the next 18 years continuing to nurture what they had created and keeping their true love alive with more amazing stories. Her great-grandchildren know a man they never had the chance to meet like he has been here all their lives because of how their “Mam-ma” chose to live her last years.

Words aren’t enough to celebrate the life of Helen Vaughn. That’s why there is no way to forget the void that will be on this earth without her. However, she always said when it was finally her time to leave this earth, she couldn’t wait to hold her husband again and to explore Heaven on new road trips that they had loved so much taking together on earth. There is no doubt on the Tuesday night she left this world that Heaven received a hero. And there’s no doubt that when she embraced her husband for the first time in so long that the void left in her was made whole, just like ours will be when we see her again.

So on Saturday, September 3rd, at the Glenwood First Baptist Church, while we say goodbye to a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and friend, we won’t be able to not smile through the tears. After all, for 89 years we witnessed multiple miracles of God through the strongest woman many have ever met. There is no doubt we will see her again, when her loving smile and warm embrace will welcome us home as well. And in that moment it will once again prove that love is the greatest strength we all have.

Helen was preceded in death by her parents, William Marion and Fanny Lou Hawkins, her siblings, Luther Hawkins, Evelyn Minick, Lavina Bland, Billie Carlson, Rosa Mae Maness and Johnny Hawkins as well as her husband, Charlie D. Vaughn.

She is survived by her son, Jackie Dee Vaughn and his wife Gina Vaughn; daughter, Norma Lou Lowery and husband Jerry Lowery. Grandchildren, Justin Tyrel Vaughn and wife Katie Vaughn, Jayson Lynn Lowery, Nicky Berry and husband Brian Berry, and Brandon Charles Wayne Vaughn; great-grandchildren, Carter Webb Lowery, James Wayne Berry, Charlie Brian Berry, and Eli Walker Joseph Berry; her two sisters, Edith Knighten and Mary Lou Jackson; and her brother, William Hawkins.

Visitation is on Friday, September 2nd from 6:00-8:00pm at Glenwood First Baptist Church. Funeral services will be on Saturday, September 3rd at 2:00pm also at Glenwood First Baptist Church with Bro. Erby Burgess and Bro. Greg Hamner officiating.

Interment will follow the funeral services in the Mount Tabor Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Tyrel Vaughn, Jayson Lowery, Brian Berry, Carter Lowery, James Wayne Berry, William Hawkins, Jr., Wayne Ross and Jerry Knighten.

Honorary pallbearers will be Charlie Brian Berry, Eli Walker Joseph Berry, Johnny Carlson, Rickey Knighten, Paul Titus, Troy Titus, the nurses and staff of Oak Park Village (Dougan's Oak Park Assisted Living) and the nurses and staff of the Glenwood Nursing and Rehab.

Arrangements are under the direction of Smith Family Funeral Home, Glenwood.

Guest registry is at www.smithfamilycares.com.