Odell Vaughn

Odell Wallace Vaughn, “Boe” to literally thousands, is resting easy, having left us peacefully on January 16, 2022 in Richmond, Virginia. He had just celebrated his 100th birthday. With each family death he met he said “God has a plan, we may not understand or question”, so he is not questioning his own, but greeting it and his loved ones warmly.

Born December 12, 1921 in Greenville, SC to Bessie Moore and James Eugene Vaughn, he lived his 100 years to the fullest with his love of life, family, friends and Faith. (Fishing, barbeque, and cigars were also favorites).

As World War II was about to begin, he volunteered to serve in the Spartanburg, SC National Guard by lying about his age, and set out on his life of service to God, Country and others at 17. While stationed at Fort Bragg, NC he married the love of his life, Virginia Blackwood on March 7, 1942. They filled their life with adventure for 68 years until her death in 2010.

Serving the United States Army 178th Field Artillery with combat in North Africa, Sicily and Italy, he was awarded the Purple Heart, the Bronze Star and the French Croix de Guerre. Boe lost his legs in a manner befitting his life, volunteering to go into a mine field to rescue a stranger that was injured. After stepping on a land mine, put tourniquets on his own legs, and sent rescuers for the other man first. A precursor to his belief in “others first”. Even though this terrible loss was in Italy, it remained his favorite place to visit until his last trip at the age of 94.

Returning to the US after months of recovery he was met by his wife and yet unseen two-year-old son, Odell junior. With no legs and no plans, the newspapers reported this young hero saying, “just give me a job and you won't be sorry.” No one ever was.

He first joined the Veterans Administration in Greenville, SC where their daughter Susan Jo was born, and later daughter Patricia joined the family. His VA career took him from receptionist to rise to the Director of the Florida Regional VA, and to establish the National Records Bureau in St. Louis. Then he was called to Washington, DC serving as Deputy Director, (now Deputy Secretary) of Veterans Affairs from which he retired. There he was responsible for VA offices, hospitals, and cemeteries around the world.

Boe also served the US Government at the US Embassy, Manila, PI, and on four Presidential Transition teams, the last being that of Ronald Reagan.

He was recognized for his service to fellow veterans with over 50 awards including Federal Handicap Employee of the year. His home state of SC presented Boe the Order of the Palmetto; the highest civilian honor given by the state.

After retirement he served for 15 years on the Board, and as a spokesman for Veterans Life Insurance.

During retirement Boe and Virginia enjoyed traveling the world, and especially time spent boating and hosting family and friends in their homes in Florida and North Carolina.

A lifelong member of the VFW and the American Legion, he also belonged to the Masons and Scottish Rite, receiving the 32 Degree. In the Presbyterian Church he was a Deacon, an Elder, and long-time advisor to church teenagers.

Boe spent his last years at Manorhouse Assisted Living, Richmond, VA where he moved at 97 to be near family. A tough move was made easy by the loving care of everyone there. He said if you have to “grow old I can think of no better place to be.”

He was predeceased by his wife Virginia, their son Odell W. Vaughn, Jr., daughter Patricia Vaughn Wootten, in addition to his mother and father Bessie and James Vaughn, his siblings Elizabeth V. Cox (Ben), Jean Johannesen, (Arthur) and James Robert Vaughn (Ruby), and a great great grandson Lucas Testerman.

Survived by his daughter Susan Jo V. Peavey (Marion), daughter-in-law Christine R. Vaughn, and son-in-law Bradley Q. Wooten, he also had a ‘son of the heart’ Steve Anderson. His well-loved grandchildren are Virginia V. Auld, Lynn A. Turner (Mark), Betsy A. Rowell (Jeff), Patricia Q. Wootten, Stephen W. Vaughn, (Donna), Matthew R. Vaughn, Virginia A. Peavey (Dee Whitaker) and R. Alexander Peavey (Sarah). Great grandchildren are Ashley R. Testerman (Jeff), Austin Rowell (Trisha), Abigail Rowell, Sara Turner, Joshua Vaughn, Tessa Vaughn, Bodhi Peavey and Jane Peavey. One great great grandson is Cooper Testerman. He would also want to remember all his nieces and nephews especially Ann and Al Bogan, and good supporting friends Haskell and Nancy Junkins, Betty and Jim Henderson and Debbie and John Townsend. He also loved his Tuscaloosa Wine Stems, and his extra ‘children’ in Columbia and Florida. Thank you to all his Sugar Ridge Commons neighbors who loyally watched over him for many years.

Boe never met a stranger and treated all men and women equally and loved every day God gave him. In turn, he was universally loved by all that met him.

He would tell you, that in leu of flowers (though he loved fresh flowers daily in his room), to please give to the charity or individual you see most in need, the Shriners Hospital, or to the Peavey Project (admin@thepeaveyproject.org).

A Memorial service will be held at a later date.

Floyd’s Greenlawn Chapel