Katherine Evelyn Vaughn (Price) was born to Myrtle and George Price, Sr. on October 18, 1924, in Grand Island, Nebraska. She and her four siblings were raised in Richmond, Missouri. Katherine departed this life on April 15, 2018.
As a child in Richmond, she belonged to the local African Methodist Episcopal church. Katherine was twelve years old, when her precious mother, Myrtle died from tuberculosis. During her high school years, Katherine’s beloved older brother, John Charles died from tuberculosis as well.
Katherine’s dear, Aunt Charlotte and Uncle Porter were instrumental in assisting the children into adulthood, especially Katherine, who they afforded the opportunity to attend Lincoln University for two years, after she graduated from high school. Katherine joined her older siblings, George, Jr., Anna, and Myrtle in Kansas City, Missouri circa 1944. She married Earl West, Sr. and to that union a son was born, Earl West, Jr. (deceased), Patricia A. West, Brenda J. Huntley, and Dwight E. West.
Later after the dissolution of that union, Katherine also experienced the loss of her father, aunt, and uncle. During those years, she was employed as a Domestic Worker as well as a Laundry Worker at St. Joseph Hospital. During these early years, she united in fellowship and service to Christ at Fellowship Baptist Church under the leadership of Reverend Henry J. Wormley and then Reverend Willard F. Warren.
She served as an Usher Board member and Sunday School Teacher for over thirty-five years. On April 19, 1966, she was united in Holy Matrimony to Reverend William ‘Howard’ Vaughn, Sr. (decreased) and to their union was born Dr. Gail Vaughn. Katherine was gifted with seven step-children, Dr. J. Douglass Vaughn-Harris (deceased), Ethel Savwoir (deceased), Glenda Vaughn, Cheryl Gonzales, Deidra Hopkins, Wm.
H. ‘Pookie’ Vaughn, Jr. (deceased), and Shelly Vaughn. Katherine returned to college in 1970 and completed her Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education from Penn Valley Community College and furthered her education at Avila College. Katherine spent twenty-seven years as an Educator within the Kansas City, Missouri Public School District.
Most of those years, Katherine loved and developed the minds of children ages four and five years old within the Head Start Programs of Kansas City, Missouri. In 1983, Pleasant Valley Baptist Church called Reverend Howard Vaughn, to serve as Senior Pastor and she, as First Lady of the congregation. They so loved serving the members of their church family.
Katherine served in the Women’s Ministry and especially enjoyed the Church Teas held in the early years of her service. She and Reverend Vaughn attended classes together at Carver Baptist Bible Institute until her vision loss limited her participation. Although in Katherine’s later years, her worship attendance was intermittent, it never stopped her worship and she would attest to love for her pastor and Reverend William Sanders and his wife.
She would say, “He makes it so clear and speaks the Lord’s truth”. She never stopped praising God, even in her final days and hours. She continued to call out in praise, ‘Hallelujah’.
Katherine Evelyn Vaughn (Price) leaves behind her cherished children: Patricia A. West, Brenda J. Huntley, Dwight E. West (Cynthia), and Dr. Gail Vaughn; two loving sisters-in-law, Ms. Goldie Vaughn and Mrs. Thelma Colbert; two wonderful nieces; two nephews; and a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, great-nieces, great-nephews, and many others, she treasured and who loved and treasured her. Momma’s words ” Lord have mercy, where Mercy can be found”. For God said to Moses, “I will show mercy to anyone I choose, and I will show compassion to anyone I choose”.
Romans 9:15 Funeral Service for Katherine Evelyn Vaughn (Price) will be held Monday, April 23, 10:00 a.m. at Fellowship Baptist Church, 7106 Prospect Avenue. Visitation will be from 9:00 a.m. until 10:00 a.m. at the Church. Interment, Forest Hill Cemetery.
If you found any mistakes, or you would like to add/remove to this obituary, please contact us by email: info@obituary.memorial. We never ask money for this.
