Shirley Vaughn Obituary

Shirley Ann Blackwell Vaughn (age 95) of Hampton, Virginia went home to be with the Lord quietly in her sleep Tuesday, February 11, 2026. She was born Shirley Ann Durham, on June 14, 1930, to James Albert Durham and Edith (Caldwell) Durham of Greenville, South Carolina. At approximately age 4, her name changed to Shirley Ann Blackwell after Edith's remarriage to Boyce Franklin Blackwell. Shirley attended Greenville County schools and graduated from Parker High School. She married on June 10, 1950. Shirley's proudest family moments were her marriage, the births of her two sons and her four grandchildren, and the day she received Christ at age 11.
Beginning marriage as a housewife to JC Penney Asst. Manager Louis W. Vaughn Sr., Shirley traveled to her husband's transfer locations from Greenville, SC, to Elkin, NC and then Greenwood, SC where the couple and their two boys lived the next 20 years or so. Shirley took a job at the local Sears, Roebuck and Co. catalog store. Using her employee discount, Shirley enhanced family life with new appliances like a new cooking stove, refrigerator/freezer and the family's first air conditioner.
Next, Shirley enhanced her intellectual life by working her way through the local Lander College. Upon receiving a BA in Education, Shirley became an elementary school teacher at both Blake and Pinecrest Elementary schools. The added income further enhanced family life.

By the 1970's Shirley was still advancing. After both of her sons graduated from Greenwood High School and went off to college, Shirley pursued a career in special education. After receiving an M.Ed. degree from the University of South Carolina, Shirley worked in several schools in Greenwood School District 50, teaching visually impaired (and often legally blind) K-12 students. These were her proudest career accomplishments.

Shirley's experience with visually disabled children got the attention of South Carolina Governor James B. Edwards. The Governor appointed Shirley to be the Regional Coordinator of the South Carolina Department of Disabilities and Special Needs. Shirley later resigned the position when her husband retired from JC Penney Co. and the couple moved to Simpsonville, SC. Shirley taught in schools in Greenville, SC. Then, after "following the grandchildren" to Alaska, she finished out her career by teaching in Fairbanks, AK. Shirley and her husband then, retired in Simpsonville, SC and later, Poquoson, VA.

Shirley is predeceased by her parents, James Albert Durham and Edith (Caldwell) Durham Blackwell, step-father, Boyce Blackwell, all of Greenville, SC and her husband of 66 years, Louis William Vaughn, Sr., of Simpsonville, SC. She is survived by sons, Louis William Vaughn, Jr. (age 71), of Hampton, Virginia, and Richard Felix Vaughn (age 74) (Lila) of Poquoson, Virginia; four grandchildren, Diana Banyai (Aaron), Amanda Boyd (Andrew), Stuart Vaughn (Lindsay), and Julia Fabian (Tyler); and twelve great grandchildren.

Viewing and visitation, reception and service will be held at Thomas McAfee Funeral Home – Southeast Chapel, in Simpsonville, SC – Tuesday, February 24, 2026, beginning at 11:00 a.m., followed by interment at Graceland East Memorial Park in Simpsonville, SC. The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, donations be sent to Clear Spring Baptist Church of Simpsonville, SC, (https://clearspringbc.org/) in Shirley's memory.