Mrs. Miriam Vaughan

We celebrate the life of Mrs. Miriam Virginia Relf Vaughan who transitioned peacefully on January 16, 2025. Miriam was welcomed to the world on February 13, 1935, by Elijah and Virginia Relf.  She was the fourteenth of seventeen children. All except her brother and three sisters have preceded her to glory. She lived an amazingly fulfilling life of 89 years, during which she touched many lives with her boundless energy, love, kindness, and generosity. 

Miriam (Virginia) was saved at a very early age, and she truly loved the Lord. She attended Sutter Street Church of Christ Holiness in her youth. She remained a faithful member of the Church of Christ Holiness for 89 years. 

Miriam received an early education at Trinity Lutheran School and Alabama State College Laboratory High School. After earning a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Alabama State University (formally Alabama State College), she furthered her passion for teaching by obtaining a Master of Arts in Teaching from National Lewis University. In her professional life, Miriam was a highly respected and talented educator. Miriam loved learning and was passionate about education. In 1990 she received the distinctive Golden Apple Award for Excellence in Education.

With a career spanning over 35 years, Miriam dedicated herself to the cause of elementary education, being a lifelong learner, and positively influencing numerous young minds.

Miriam was a beacon of faith, and her unwavering belief and trust in Jesus Christ were evident in every aspect of her life. She was a lifelong learner and an avid reader, always in pursuit of knowledge, and she taught valuable life lessons, not only in her professional capacity but also in her personal life. She firmly believed in the value of love, service, honor, worship, and accepting Jesus as their personal savior.

Beyond her professional commitments, Miriam was a pillar of her community. Her faith drove her to serve and share her wisdom and love of the Lord with others. Her works, commitment, and faithfulness to The Church of Christ Holiness (Second Temple Church-Chicago and finally Emmanuel Chapel-Hampton), were shown in various loving ways. She worked faithfully with the Holiness Young People Union (H.Y.P.U), faithfully taught Sunday School,  passionately leading the children's choir, taught Vacation Bible School, Superintendent of Sunday School, member of the Trustee Board, member of the Deaconess board, member of the Missionary Board, president and then chairperson of the United Christian Women's Ministries-U.C.W.M (formally the Christian Women Willing Workers-C.W.W.W), the development of The Foundation Guidance for The National Family Ministry, frequently attended Local, District, Diocese, and National Conventions, in charge of The Pastor's Aide Ministry, created beautiful bulletin boards for the church and participated in numerous (too many to name) church functions and activities.

Miriam also had a passion for helping others. She volunteered for Meals on Wheels, drove people to various appointments and activities and donated time and money to many charitable events and causes.

Miriam also loved working in her yard. She loved flowers and often planted them in the spring, summer and fall. She was a very good cook, even though she was not that fond of cooking. She believed in nutritious homemade meals. She was famous for her lima beans, bean soups, and baked chicken wings. Miriam also loved working out at the Y.M.C.A. with the senior fitness class, birthday parties, traveling, shopping, football, watching and talking about her favorite television programs, what the stars were wearing at award shows, reading and studying the Bible. And she adored talking about her three granddaughters.

All except her brother and three sisters have preceded her to glory. Miriam was preceded to glory by her parents Elijah and Virginia Relf; her loving husband of 44 years Clyde W. Vaughan; older brother Daniel B. Relf; her sisters, Mary L. Stevens, Ethel Lee Adams, Dorothy R. Bunson, Eddie Mae Pollard, Malissa J. Ward. Miriam will be lovingly remembered by her devoted daughter, LaJoya J. (Edward)Lewis, Homewood, IL; granddaughters, Lindsay A. Washington, Olympia Fields, IL, Corinne A. Washington, Jacksonville, FL, Kirstin A. Washington, Los Angeles, CA; sisters, Bertha L. Relf, Evelyn R. (Howard) Davis, Montgomery, AL, Grace (Melvin) Glover, Palmdale, CA; one brother, Julian E. (Dorothy) Relf, Sr., Decatur, GA., and a host of nieces, great nieces, great-great nieces, nephews, great nephews, great-great nephews, cousins, god-daughters, and friends. 

 As we remember Miriam, we celebrate a life lived with purpose, love, and most of all her faith. Her legacy, being a dedicated follower of Christ, spreading love, and the importance of education, will continue to inspire generations to come.

It is the desire of the Vaughan family that you keep them in your thoughts and prayers.

The family of Mrs.  Miriam Vaughan has entrusted her final care to C. C. Carter Funeral Home.

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