Mary Jo passed away on Monday, April 21, 2025. She was a native and lifelong resident of Calhoun County and a member of Saks Baptist Church.
Survivors include her daughter, Vickie Vaughn Cox (Dale); granddaughters, Kelli Reese Lloyd and Katy Cox Turner (Joseph); great grandchildren, Aiden Neal Lloyd, Adaline Kate Turner, Amelia Jo Turner, and Anna Blake Turner; her siblings, Avis Cotton Baxter (Gary) and Terry Smith (Gail); her sister in law, Agnes Smith; and many nieces and nephews.
Mrs. Vaughn is preceded in death by her husband, Neil Crosley Vaughn; parents B.H. and Flora Cobb Smith; and her siblings, George Smith and Margaret Smith.
Pallbearers will be Dale Cox, Aiden Lloyd, Joseph Turner, Mark Cotton, Dr. Ross Vaughn, and Kregg Lloyd.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff of the Cleburne County Nursing Home and Gentiva Hospice for their selfless service and compassionate care.
Mary Jo enjoyed three wonderful roommates during her time there; Dot Taylor, Alice Turner (both now deceased) and present roommate, Mary McLaughlin, her good and faithful friend.
Mrs. Vaughn loved and adored her family. She was a devoted wife to Neal for 65 years until the time of his passing, and a dedicated mother to Vickie. She was a wonderful grandmother and great grandmother. She began her work life at GE in Oxford; she then began a tenure of more than forty years at Smith's Sporting Goods, and served the students and coaches of school athletic departments across Alabama. She was a talented seamstress and a gifted painter. Her love of cooking was bountifully bestowed upon her family and her church family, in countless fish frys, casseroles, and scrumptious desserts served with love and joy. She took great care to bestow her talents on her offspring, from whom her favorite dishes continue to appear at every celebration and holiday table.
Mary Jo was dearly loved, enjoyed a beautiful life, and will be sorely missed.
