Opal Vaughn

Funeral services for Opal Alene Hudson Vaughn, age 97, of Gary, Texas will be at 3:00 p.m., Sunday, August 11, 2013 at Eastside Baptist Church with Dr. P.A. Dubose and Rev. Dale Walker officiating. Burial will follow in Gary Cemetery under the direction of Hawthorn Funeral Home. Family visitation will be Saturday, August 10, 2013 from 6 – 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Opal Vaughn died August 8, 2013 at her daughter Barbara Anderson’s home in Gary, Texas. Opal Alene Hudson was born April 30, 1916 in Carthage, Panola County, Texas where she lived until age 13 before moving to Gary, Texas. She was the oldest of seven children born to the marriage of John Washington “Watt” Hudson and Annie Pearl Choate Hudson. She attended schools in Pleasant Ridge and Gary. She and Lauren Denver “L.D./Denver” Vaughn were married on December 14, 1933 by Brother Hiram Dry in Gary, Texas. They celebrated almost 39 years together before he preceded her in death on October 10, 1972. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother. Opal was also preceded in death by her parents, Watt and Pearl Hudson; a brother, J.W. and a sister, Mabel who died as young children; two other brothers, O’Dell and Lynn; and another sister, Val Hayles. She is survived by one sister, Lou Anderson; two daughters, Barbara Vaughn Anderson and husband Billy of Gary, Betty Vaughn McGee and husband Roland of Lufkin; three grandchildren, Billy “Bill” Anderson II and wife Carla of Gary, Brandi Anderson Woodard of Center, and Scott McGee of League City; six great-grandchildren, Billy “Trace” Anderson III of Afghanistan, Chase Anderson of Gary, Dakota Woodard and wife Cory of Center, Cheyenne Woodard of Center, Montana of Center and Dylan McGee of League City. She is also survived by Danny Woodard of Carthage, Rita McGee of League City, numerous nephews, nieces, cousins and a host of friends. Mrs. Vaughn was the oldest living member of Eastside Baptist Church where she was very active up until her death. She was affectionately known as “Granny Bopal” by her church family. Her greatest gift was being a “pray warrior” for family and friends, and her great delight was in cooking chicken and dumplings and chocolate pies (which she did until recently) for her family and the social events of her church. She dearly loved her Lord, her family, her pastors and her church family. Serving as pallbearers will be Billy Anderson, II, Scott McGee, Trace Anderson, Chase Anderson, Dakota Woodard, Dylan McGee and Danny Woodard.

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Opal Vaughn

April 30, 1916 - August 8, 2013