With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of Linda D. Vaughn on Saturday, June 20, 2026, with her family by her side. She was born on April 14, 1943, to Laura Elizabeth Bowen Day and Sgt. Linwood Forest Day in Panama City, Florida.
Growing up in a military family, Linda lived in Germany and eight different states, several more than once. Her family flew to Bremerhaven, Germany, in January 1950 on a prop plane and lived there for three and one-half years. During the time in Germany, she saw examples of the devastation of WW II from bombed-out buildings to stacks of artillery shells.
Linda attended Woodlawn High School in Woodlawn, Tennessee, where she received a four-year academic scholarship to Austin Peay State College. In 1977, Linda received her master’s degree in Biology from Middle Tennessee State University.
Murfreesboro Bank and Trust hired Linda in 1978, and she worked there until Nissan employed her in February 1981. Linda was the 56th person hired by Nissan and retired in 2000 to care for her newest grandson.
She was a member of St. Mark’s United Methodist Church.
Sewing was her most loved hobby, and it was no surprise when a longarm quilting machine entered the picture, and she began quilting for customers. At the same time, Stitcher’s Playhouse in Smyrna asked her to teach classes, and she taught for 15 years. Linda loved teaching and seeing the pride in her students’ eyes when they completed an item.
Linda loved the outdoors and was most at peace in the woods, finding wildflowers. Working in her garden was a pleasure, and her flowers knew and performed for her. She enjoyed traveling to Ohio to visit her family and the hills she loved so much.
Grandchildren were the way to Linda’s heart as she loved and adored each one. Dubbed Gims by her first grandchild, Erin, it stuck, and all her family calls her Gims.
She was preceded by her mother, Laura Barnett; father, Linwood Day; stepfather, Gerald Dotson; sister, Pamela Motil; companion in-law, Steve Motil; sister, Teresa Guiler; brother, Charles Dotson; and beloved pet, Chelsie.
Linda is survived by her sons Rick Hawkins (Stephanie), Will Hawkins (Paige); brothers James Day (Vicky) of Arizona and Steven Day (Allyson) of California; grandchildren Erin Thurman (Autumn Randolph), Austin Hawkins (Iva), Maddie Hawkins, Sam Hawkins; great granddaughter, Emory, great grandson Bentley, great step granddaughters, Aria and Ava, and a host of wonderful nieces and nephews, family and dear friends. She cherished her Sew Sista’s Group and every moment she spent with them sewing, creating, and laughing.
Visitation with the family will be held from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm at Woodfin Memorial Chapel, Murfreesboro, Tennessee, on Saturday, September 5, 2026. A Celebration of Life will be held at 6:00 pm following the visitation with Dr Jim Clardy officiating.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, the Salvation Army, or the Ronald McDonald House.
An online guestbook for the Vaughn family is available at www.woodfinchapel.com.
Woodfin Memorial Chapel. (615) 893-5151.
