Rebecca L. Vaughn

Rebecca (Becky) Lowe Vaughn, 99, died on Friday, August 9. Born March 23, 1925 in Paducah, KY, she was the daughter of Almus Green (A. G.) and Reba Heath Lowe who died in 1935. Henrietta Johnson Lowe became her stepmother at 14; along with A. G. she became an influential force in the lives of Rebecca and her children.

She received her early education in Paducah, graduating first in her class from Augusta Tilghman High School in 1942. She attended Paducah Junior College for one year and then taught for one year in a one room school. She continued her education at the University of Kentucky, graduating with highest distinction in 1946. She was employed in marketing by Procter & Gamble Co. In 1948 she was married to Walter Roscoe Vaughn and lived in St. Louis, MO where her husband was enrolled in medical school. While there she was employed by St. Louis Social Services Agency. Upon Dr. Vaughn’s graduation from medical school, the family moved to Indianapolis for his residency training and then moved to Vincennes in 1955 where her husband enter the private practice of urology.

Mrs. Vaughn was a member of the First United Methodist Church for many years. She served as a Sunday School teacher and conceived and chaired the “Catch the Spirit” campaign which doubled church attendance. She was a representative to the Southern Indiana Conference of the United Methodist Church for several years.

Mrs. Vaughn was a community leader and long-time volunteer in Vincennes. She was a member and past president of the Vincennes Garden Club, Knox County Medical Auxiliary, and the Knox County Tourism Commission. Her memberships included Knox County Convention and Visitors Bureau Board, Vincennes Tourism and Advisory Board, Salvation Army Board, United Way Board, Knox County Community Foundation Board, Vincennes Parks and Recreation Board, Vincennes City Tree Board, and more than thirty years’ service to “Reach to Recovery” of the American Cancer Society (as a support volunteer to women who have had breast cancer.)

She believed Vincennes to be a great tourism destination and worked tirelessly to promote it. She chaired the tourism committee when it was a committee of the Knox County Chamber of Commerce, and helped guide it to become the Knox County Convention and Visitors Bureau. She had the original idea and was instrumental in developing the “Vacation in Vincennes” program, designed to educate area citizens about the historic sites. A record attendance of more than 5000 people participated in the event over three weekends, which drew honors from the State of Indiana and Midwest Living magazine. She assisted in designing and commissioned the Vincennes historic afghan. She lobbied local officials to connect our historic sites with a blue line along the “Mile of History.”

Mrs. Vaughn was recognized by community organizations. She received the “Spirit of Vincennes Rendezvous” Long Knife Award (1993), Vincennes Civitan Club “Citizen of the Year” (1997), “Patriot of the Vincennes Parks” award (1998). In 2003, Dr. and Mrs. Vaughn were recipients of the Vincennes University “Walter A. Davis Memorial Citation.”

Dr. and Mrs. Vaughn’s children honored them by providing funding to match a State of Indiana grant for the Vaughn Walking Trail in Gregg Park which has been enjoyed by residents of all ages for over 25 years.

She is survived by two daughters, Rebecca Vaughn Simmons of St. Charles, IL and N. Susan Vaughn of Evansville; a son, Dr. William R. Vaughn (Christy) of Evansville, ten grandchildren, and eleven great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, her in-laws Curtis and Catherine Vaughn, and her son-in-law Craig Simmons.

Visitation will be at Goodwin-Sievers Family Funeral Home, 524 Broadway Street, Vincennes on Saturday, September 7 from noon – 3:00 EST, with a memorial service to follow and Pastor Dale Biehl will officiate. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Knox County Community Foundation or to the Salvation Army. Goodwin-Sievers Funeral Home is privileged and honored to be entrusted with the care of Rebecca and her family.