Herbert Gray Vaughan

Herb Vaughan of Prospect, formerly of Farmville and Newport News, Virginia, passed peacefully after a lengthy illness, on February 15, 2009 at Southside Community Hospital.

Born December 28, 1940 to Henry Eugene and Emily Rieker Vaughan, Herb grew up in Cumberland County where he attended John Randolph Elementary and was a member of Cumberland Presbyterian Church. In 1959, Herb graduated from Farmville High School and entered the Newport News Shipbuilding Apprentice School. He married Edith Price Vaughan of Farmville in 1963. Together they moved to Blacksburg where he pursued his fascination with math and science at Virginia Tech and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering.

Herb and Edith settled in Newport News and Herb resumed his career at Newport News Shipbuilding. He was a member of Denbigh Presbyterian Church where he served as an Elder and Sunday school teacher for children of all ages. Continuing his life-long love of learning, he graduated from the College of William and Mary with a Masters degree in Business Administration. In 1999, Herb retired from Newport News Shipbuilding as a Master Shipbuilder after forty years of service. Herb and Edith returned to central Virginia to make their home at Rock Branch in Elam, where they celebrated their 45th anniversary last year.

Though an avid reader, woodworker and lover of nature who enjoyed bluegrass music and all things nautical, Herb believed faith, family and friendship were most precious. He gave all whom he knew his personal attention; we know how blessed we were to have him in our lives.

Herb is survived by his wife Edith Price Vaughan with whom he shared a loving marriage filled with joy and laughter, and by two daughters Deborah L. Vaughan of Woodbridge, Va. and Diana L. Vaughan of Arlington, Va.; sister Nancy McKay and husband Walter; nephew Harold Collins Jr. and wife Margaret; niece Dana Barber and husband Keith; as well as a great niece and three great nephews.

The family will receive friends and loved ones on Wednesday, February, 18 from 7PM to 9PM at Puckett Funeral Home of Farmville, Virginia. Funeral service will be conducted at 11AM Thursday, February, 19 at Olive Branch United Methodist Church in Prospect, Virginia with internment in the church cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Olive Branch United Methodist Church of Prospect, Cumberland Presbyterian Church, Prospect Volunteer Fire Department or other charitable organizations.

Cemetery:
Internment will follow the servcie in the church cemetery.

Visitation:
Family will recieve friends Wednesday evening 7:00-9:00PM.

Service:
A funeral service will be held Thursday 11:00AM at Olive Branch United Methodist Church in Prospect.