Anita Katherine Barnes Vaughn, 66 passed away on Friday, August 4, 2023 at her home surrounded by her family. Anita was born on September 17, 1956 in Amory to Dr. Edward Barnes and Betty Miller Barnes McLeod. Being the daughter of a preacher, her family moved to Arkansas where she graduated from Hamburg High School in Hamburg, Arkansas. On March 10, 1978, she wed Dwight Vaughn and together they had a union that would span 45 years. Anita attended ICC and received her LPN license. She began her journey as a nurse in 1975. Anita went on to earn her RN license BSN Degree. She worked 12 years in Amory at Gilmore and in 1987 she began a longtime nursing career at NMMC in Tupelo. Altogether, Anita was a devoted and excellent nurse who loved her patients and served for 48 years as a nurse. Not only did she have a passion for nursing, she had a passion for cooking as well. She and Dwight owned and operated the County Barn Restaurant for 14 years and enjoyed time spent with their customers. In life, everyone has a happy place and Anita’s happy place was the Great Smoky Mountains. She loved each trip made to the mountains and held those memories dear to her heart. She also enjoyed decorating her home for the holidays and cooking for her family. More than anything, she loved her family and was a proud grandmother to her grandchildren. From a young age being raised in a Christian Home, Anita loved the Lord. She was a member of First Baptist Church in Amory and attended the Empty Nester’s Sunday School Class.Anita is survived by her husband, Dwight Vaughn, Amory; mother, Betty Miller Barnes McLeod; son, Justin Vaughn (Shannon), Smithville; daughter, Ashley Vaughn Holman (Tim), Amory sisters, Judy Tyree (Mike), Amory and Cindy Harmon (Randy), Becker; step sisters, Sue McLeod Fairchild and Recia McLeod Spencer; grandchildren, Macayla Marie Fisher, John Paxton Vaughn, Justin Luke Vaughn, Addison Lynn Holman, Olivia Jade Holman and Eva Claire Holman; special friends, Dr. Ken and Patricia Harvey, Irene Westbrook; a host of nieces, nephews and cousins.
Anita is preceded in death by her father, Dr. Edward Barnes and her stepfather, Bro. Sidney McLeod; step brothers, Johnny McLeod and Paul McLeod; father in law and mother in law, John and Estelle Vaughn.
Funeral Services will be held at 11 AM on Tuesday, August 8, 2023 at First Baptist Church in Amory with Dr. Allen Simpson and Bro. Danny Burks officiating. Burial will follow in New Hope Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Ricky Gault, Jackie Spencer, Steve Greenhaw, Joe Benton, Wade Weatherby and Ray Burke. The Empty Nester’s Sunday School Class will serve as honorary pallbearers.
Visitation will be held on Monday, August 7, 2023 at Cleveland Moffett Funeral Home from 5-8 PM. Anita will lie in state at First Baptist on Tuesday from 10 AM until the service hour at 11 AM.
Donations may be given to St Jude Children’s Research Hospital or to LeBonheur Children’s Hospital.
