Matthew Lee Vaughn

Matthew Lee Vaughn, who was found to have ascended to his lofty throne on August 15, 2024, was an incredible force of nature the likes of which have rarely been seen before and likely will rarely be seen again. On a sweet sunny day on the seventh of September, in 1949, an ordinary Wednesday in Mississippi was suddenly turned into the beginning background of a legend as Matthew breathed his first majestic breaths bravely. As we all breathe the whole world into our lungs, filtering it out before letting it leave us, and thus changing the world, so too did Matthew but with all the strength of a hurricane. Indeed, as a child, having been snatched out of flood waters by the grace of God, he determined to live his life gratefully, in respect to those not as lucky, but also to carry on in the face of all adversity, to fight on always. Thus was the beginning of this steadfast stoic man. He entered the military as soon as possible, always considering the whole world as one, and delighted to have adventures anywhere. He rapidly advanced in the military, even becoming part of special intelligence operations in South Korea intercepting and decoding secret codes during the Vietnam War. He was unbelievable at doing complex math in his head. Eventually he married a dangerously beautiful woman and started a family. He held many jobs over his life, in addition to being a father, including working for National Cash Register, IBM, Rolm, Bellsouth, AT&T, US Army, National Guard, as well as various community service projects, and landscaping artistry adventures. Most of all he dearly loved his family, including all his extended family and friends, and his neighbors as well. He truly cared about everyone around him, and tried to help out where he could. He also loved visiting with his fellow Veterans, going to church, and being involved in church activities. Just engaging in fellowship and talking to people was something that brought him true joy. He was also playful in his own way, and really loved basketball and sometimes football. He found music to be incredibly uplifting, and was particularly fond of soulful types of music especially artists like the Drifters and Al Green that had made up the soundtrack of his youth, as well as gospel or a cappella Christian music. He loved fruit, especially sour apples. He loved pecan pie, catfish, and good southern home cooking.

He was preceded in death by his legendary parents... Willie and Louise. Three of his dearly beloved siblings... Ada Mae, Larry, and Sandra. His sister in-law Katie and precious nephew, as well as other long-missed family who are with him now.

He is survived by his daughters... Stephanie and Jeanne. His precious grandchildren... Celeste, Emma, and Felicia. His stepmother Josephine. Ten of his dearly beloved siblings... Rufus, Mildred, Bernice, Major, Kenneth, Rose, Jerry, Eric, Arthur, and his adopted brother Vernon. As well as a great many precious nieces and nephews, and several cousins and other extended family members that are also beloved and very dear to him, as well as countless friends from all walks of life, including his neighbors who added him as family when he came to a new place alone. He moved to Louisiana during the last adventure of his life because he said he wanted to be in the middle of Florida and Texas, so he wouldn't have too far to travel either way to see either his daughter or where most of the family lives, because that is the kind of man he was... he wanted to be close to everyone so he did as best he could to do that. Thank you to everyone who has loved this man... Matthew Lee Vaughn- the one and only.

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