Delores Lillian Vaughn

Delores Lillian Hetrick was born in Fort Wayne, Indiana on April 7, 1928 to Walter and Lucile Hetrick, both of Polish Descent. She was the oldest of two children, her sister’s name was Leona. Her family nicknamed her “Duchess” as a child.

As a young woman, she began working during “The Rosie the Reverter” era of World War II. This instilled in her a sense of responsibility, survivorship and appreciation.

Delores married Hoyt L. Vaughn on July 7, 1947 in Mississippi where they met while he was in the Army. Delores and Hoyt met at a Café in Biloxi where Delores’ sister worked. When Delores and Hoyt locked eyes, Leona told Hoyt “Move away from my sister” and the rest was history. She was a devoted wife, and if you knew my dad, that was a challenge at times. My Aunt Edna always said she had the best sister-in-law ever. She was the Edith Bunker type with dad, but when she finally did something for herself, she grew into her own person. They were married 54 years before Hoyt predeceased her in 2001.

They had two wonderful, beautiful children (the daughter in particular) Dale and Debra. She was fortunate enough to be a stay at home mom and raised their children in Premont, Texas were they resided for 20+ years. She made every event in school and every holiday or occasion special. Something she took pride in that she did not have growing up. She did without to make sure her children had everything they needed.

After 1969, the children were gone to college and Delores wanted to attend college as well. She applied and received her GED from high school and started taking classes at Victoria Junior College. I remember her telling me she was embarrassed because she felt like the class grandmother. It did not take long until she had the advantage and was helping her young fellow classmates. After a couple of years of working full time and going to school, she earned her Associates Degree. She always had an excellent mind for numbers and math and ended up working as an accountant for Montgomery Ward. She later switched to JC Penny’s where she was manager and ran the office as a sweet, accurate but stern leader, retiring in the early 1990’s.

Delores was an avid reader and if it was printed on paper, she read it. Reading was one of the joys, which she gave up while raising kids; but she made up for lost time after she retired. She also loved sports, especially The Dallas Cowboys, Houston Oilers, Astros, and the Rockets during the Hakeem Olajuwon days; they attended as often as possible.

Delores was a fabulous grandmother to her two grandchildren, Dixie and Charles. Generous, kind and always available. They loved her dearly.

Delores was everyone’s favorite aunt and mother, and she didn’t make friends easily but when she did, it was forever. Even in her later years, if she had a Physical Therapist or Aide, they always referred to her as “Their Favorite”. One sweet lady, always pleasant, she was never pushy and what a great mind she was able to sustain. She was declared legally blind in the early 2000’s , and has been totally unsighted for the last several years. She had the will to survive and fought long and hard.

Delores is survived by her daughter Debra Adams and husband Tom, her grandson Charles A. Vaughn and wife Alysa, her great grandchildren Allison, Charles E. and Luke Vaughn. Numerous friends and extended family are also left to cherish her memory.

Delores is preceded in death by her parents Walter and Lucile Hetrick, Sister Leona Sparks, husband Hoyt Vaughn, son Dale Vaughn and granddaughter Dixie Martin.

She lived a long and proud life, living up to her nickname “Duchess”. She was the best mom ever as well as my best friend. I miss her already.

A visitation for Delores will be held Wednesday, November 30, 2022 from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM at Metcalf Funeral Directors, 1801 E. White Oak Terrace, Conroe, Texas. Following the visitation will be a graveside service at 1:30 PM at Garden Park Cemetery, 801 Teas Rd, Conroe, Texas.

Delores will be laid to rest in Garden Park Cemetery, 801 Teas Rd, Conroe, TX 77303.

Serving as pallbearers are Mike Kucera, Stanley Leja, Billie Ryon, Lance Munger, Brian Petrossi, Kevin Stover, and Honorary Pallbearer, Charles Vaughn.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.metcalffuneraldirectors.com for the Vaughn family.