Ann Carol Fanning Vaughn died peacefully at home on December 10 in Huntsville. She was 84 and surrounded by her large family that loved her beyond description. She was born in Fayetteville, Tennessee, to educators C.W. and Mildred Fanning. The family – including younger brother Paul – moved to Monrovia in 1946.
Ann graduated from Huntsville High School in 1957, where she was voted “Friendliest” by her classmates. She married Ronald Gray Vaughn of Monrovia, on June 22, 1957. The couple honeymooned in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. Ann loved the Smoky Mountains, especially their streams and trees.
Ann lived with Ron in Germany while he was stationed there with the U.S. Occupation Forces in 1959-60. It was at the Army hospital in Würzburg where Ann gave birth to the couple’s first child – Rex – who weighed 12 pounds, 4 ounces. Ann was 20.
She was an excellent musician: beautiful soprano, church pianist and organist. She taught – for decades – children’s Sunday School, Vacation Bible School and Training Union. Ann was a founding member of Providence Baptist Church. Ann faithfully supported the Huntsville-Madison County Public Library and ensured that its BookMobile visited Monrovia. She loved good books and good films, and for several years she
was part of a film club in Huntsville – until she created her own film club with her growing family.
She taught English as a second language with Madison Baptist Association. She served as commander and president of the North Alabama chapter of the Eighth Air Force Historical Society. She loved playing Rook and building fires; collecting sea shells and mapping the many travels
of her loved ones.
Her green thumb nurtured leaves and sprouts, especially large African violets. Most of all though, Ann nurtured people and love of learning – starting with her own children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
She is survived by her children: Ronald (Rex) Gray Vaughn II (Kim), Ronda Ann Vaughn West (Randy), Carol Ann Vaughn Cross (Jonathan), and Clifford Jeffries Vaughn (Mary); grandchildren: Carmen Vaughn Bragg (Sean), Hannah Vaughn Creed (Kaze), Ellie Vaughn Milby (Cole), Carl Walton Vaughn (Whitney), Anna Grayce West Smith (Drew), Clara West Posala (Carleone), Jonathan Samuel Cross, Jr., Sydney Elizabeth Cross, Jackson Gray Vaughn; and Madeline Ann Vaughn; great-grandchildren: Gray Michael Bragg, Graham Denton Bragg, Porter Barnes Smith, Eliza Christine Smith, R.G. Creed, and another due this February. Ann is also survived by her brother, Paul W. Fanning (Dee); cousin-like-a-sister Ginger Treglown (Roger); and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Ronald Gray Vaughn; infant son, Walt Vaughn; parents, C.W. and Mildred Fanning; and mother and father-in-law, Carl and Helen Vaughn.
The family is grateful for the care given by Deborah Barham and the hospice staff of Southern Care New Beacon.
Visitation will be Wednesday, December 13, 2023, in the Fellowship Hall at Providence Baptist Church at 1355 Douglass Road NW, Huntsville, Alabama, 35806 at 9:30am with service to follow at 11:00am in the sanctuary. The burial will take place at Huntsville Memory Gardens. Rev. Dr. Blair Waddell and Rev. Brian
Milby will conduct the services. Pallbearers will be Sean Bragg, Kaze Creed, Sam Cross, Cole Milby, Carleone Posala, Drew Smith, Jack Vaughn and Walton Vaughn. Berryhill Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. The service will be livestreamed at ProvidenceBaptist.us.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Providence Baptist Church (ProvidenceBaptist.us) or Huntsville Botanical Garden (hsvbg.org).
