James Agusta Vaughn

The Life and Legacy of

James Agusta Vaughn

July 29, 1932 – May 26, 2025

Who am I, you ask? Well, my name is James Agusta Vaughn aka “Pig” which was my childhood nickname. Nearly 93 years ago, on the Pearson’s place in Lauderdale County, Alabama not far from my Grandpa Dick’s place, I was born to my parents, Earnest Vaughn, Sr. and Eliza (Williams) Vaughn, on July 29, 1932. I was born at home which was common in those days, but I was delivered by a very prestigious Black doctor named James Agusta Simpson which was very uncommon in those days. He is my namesake.

I am the 5th child of 9 children; perfectly in the middle. It’s been said that I was a hyper child who couldn’t sit still very long and, consequently, got lots of spankings because I liked to “push the limits.” I have many fond memories of my childhood with my siblings. We swam in the creeks, killed snakes, and had lots of fun all while getting our daily chores done each day. Growing up during the Great Depression, my dad was my hero. He believed in hard work and excellence. I wanted to be a man like him. My mother, however, was my spiritual guiding force. When I was 12 years old, I attended a revival held at Little Zion Church. While on the “mourner’s bench,” I decided to give my heart to Jesus Christ. I was baptized in the cold water of Sinking Creek and became a member of Eleven Grove M.B. Church along with my mother. I had a life-long love of learning. We didn’t own many books other than the Bible, but I would read whatever I could even the newspaper and pages of catalogs we used to paper our walls with pitch. I attended 1st and 2nd grades at Bethel; 3rd- 6th grades at Cloverdale Elementary; Oakland Jr. High; and Burrell High School.

I was drafted into the army in March of 1953. That’s when I felt I became a man. I was promoted after only 8 weeks of basic training to temporary corporal. Soon after, I received corporal pay. After just 21 months, I became temporary staff sergeant. I was shipped to Korea. Once while on a short leave, I visited my only sister, Mattie Cornelia in Waukegan, IL. She introduced me to Mattie Mae Franklin, a beautifully stunning young lady who captured my whole heart and later, on June 9, 1957, became my wife for nearly 49 years until she passed away in March of 2006. To our union, we were blessed with 4 children (Anita, James Eric, Michael and Margo.)

We raised our family in the fear and admonition of the Lord. Once I moved to Waukegan, I yoked up with the Gideon M.B. Church where I was blessed to happily serve in many capacities for 40 years such as deacon, trustee, treasurer, Sunday school teacher and superintendent, missions' teacher, financial chairman. As chairman, I helped build the first phase of the new church building, and in 1987, added 2 educational wings. In addition, I served as the first president of Gideon Church’s credit union.

In 1998, I retired, and my wife and I moved back to my hometown of Florence. We joined the First M.B. Church under the leadership of Pastor Joseph Marshall. There, I continued to serve the body of Christ as deacon, trustee, men’s class teacher, and male chorus member. I am happy to have been able to help with many improvements over the years like handicap accessibilities, replacing the front-end of the church, etc. All to the glory of God! Being a dedicated, hard worker is in my DNA. I began chopping cotton and picking corn when I was 8. I held many, many jobs over the years from Anderson Hardware to serving 4 years, 8 months, and 11 days in the U. S. Army. I moved to Waukegan., IL and worked at places such as Abbott Labs, Bill Hughes Metropolitan Maintenance, American Motors, and Johnson Outboard Motors where they sent me to Lake Forest School of Management where I graduated in 1980. I retired from the Waukegan School District which was my favorite job ever. My highlight reel would showcase my loving parents and close-knit siblings. It would shine the spotlight on my best friend and love of my life, Mattie Mae Vaughn, and 4 precious children, 17 grands, and 27 great grands. In my latter season of life, I would honor my “special friend,” Ms. Anita Cobb, who is a gem. With all of that said, sitting center stage of my life is my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. My prayer is that the work I’ve done for the Kingdom of God speaks for me.

Those who took their flight to their final destination before me: my beloved wife, Mattie Mae Vaughn; my parents, Earnest Vaughn, Sr. and Eliza Vaughn; brothers, Rivers, Ernest, Jr., Arthur Turner, Harvey, Elethus; sister, Mattie C. Blackburn; granddaughter, Brittni Vaughn.

Those who remain to carry my legacy: My children, Anita Vaughn of Florence, AL; James (Diane) Vaughn of Tampa, FL; Michael Vaughn of Keokuk, IA; Margo (Tim) Vaughn-Smith of Kingwood, TX; 17 grandchildren; 27 great- grandchildren; brothers, Louis Vaughn of Florence, AL, Robert (Cheryl) Vaughn of Eaton Rapids, MI; Sisters-in-laws, Dorothy Vaughn of Atlanta, GA, Sherry Vaughn of Waukegan, IL, Eunice Smith of Marion, AL, and Hilary Sumerset of Waukegan, IL.

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