Evelynn Faye Vaughan 1927 ~ 2023

Evelynn Faye Vaughan was born on May 20, 1927 to Eldon and Trilla (Young) McDannald at their home in the Sunnyside area, east of Vici. All of her grandparents lived in Oklahoma before statehood and were living in Dewey County at the time she was born. When she was three or four, the family moved southeast of Vici. When Evelynn was seven, they moved to the house by Sunnyside Cemetery, the Blumer Place, so Evelynn could attend Sunnyside School. For a time the family lived south of Vici on the Castor Place. On a historical note, Evelynn remembered traveling with her dad from near Webb back to the Sunnyside Area on Black Sunday, April 14, 1935. Upon her arrival her mother and grandparents were emerging from the cellar. There was no radio, no television and no warning as to what was happening. Some thought the world was ending. During the summer of 1936, Evelynn’s dad and uncle hitchhiked to Enid from southwest of Vici and purchased a Buick car. In the midst of the depression, the family used the automobile to travel to Idaho and Oregon to find work. They returned to Oklahoma where Evelynn was a 4th grade student at Vici. During this time in April of 1937, she was caught in a snow storm for several days. It was storming and the buses ran early. Ernest Johnson’s dad, Leo Johnson was the bus driver. They got stuck with several kids still on the bus. They all held hands and walked to a house to wait out the storm. After a day or two there, Mr. Johnson took everyone by wagon to his home for the night. The next day, he walked students to their own homes. There were no phones to communicate the stranded students’ location.
Sometime later the family moved to Ellis County. First residing east of Harmon and then her folks purchased the Pummel Place southeast of Harmon. Evelynn finished the 8th grade at Stone School. From the 9th grade on she rode the bus and attended Vici School graduating in 1946. She was the oldest graduate from Vici High School leading the 2021 Alumni Parade.
Evelynn grew up as an only child in a happy, loving home on the farm. Her favorite dog Pooch, an Airedale terrier, was her protector. He wouldn’t allow anyone to get near unless her mother was close by.
Delbert Vaughan and Evelynn lived within three miles of each other as children but didn’t meet until high school. At Vici High School, Delbert invited Evelynn to a party and the rest is history. They were married on August 4, 1945 while Delbert was still in the service. He was home on a 30 day leave after his return from World War II’s European Theatre. They were married in Woodward but boarded the train at the Katy Depot in Vici for their honeymoon to Wichita Falls, TX. While on their honeymoon, the U.S. dropped the bomb and Delbert’s orders were revoked and he didn’t have to return to war. He completed his service at Ft. Leavenworth, KS. Delbert and Evelynn lived in Oklahoma, Texas and Kansas before returning to Oklahoma. Early in marriage, Evelynn was a telephone operator in Vici for Chester and Pearl Speck. One memory stands out. In the mid 40’s a tornado was approaching and Evelynn was determined to stay at work until Chet got there to tell her to leave –NOW! In 1964 Delbert and Evelynn moved to Leedey. Evelynn worked side by side with Delbert for 21 years as owner and operator of the Conoco Service Station. After years in the station, Evelynn worked at the Vici Nursing Home, BJ’s Quick Trip in Leedey and again at the Vici Nursing Home, retiring at the age of 71. Delbert and Evelynn’s children are all graduates of Dewey County Schools; Dennis from Vici, Andrea and Todd from Leedey. As a mother, Evelynn was involved with PTA and as a class mom at both schools. At Leedey, she was also involved with American Legion Women’s Auxiliary and Young Women’s Study Club. Seasonal activities were always a highlight with Delbert and Evelynn. They loved Halloween, 4th of July and Christmas. They even received a town-wide award for the best Christmas décor.
Evelynn & Delbert became Christians in 1947. Both were baptized on the northeast side of the original South Canadian River Bridge. As a member of the Vici First Baptist Church and later Leedey First Baptist Church, Evelynn enjoyed teaching all ages from pre-school to high school, assisting with Junior Camp, cooking at Falls Creek and all mission groups, GA’s, Acteens and WMU. As an active member, Evelynn participated and enjoyed her women’s Loyalty Sunday School Class. She also served on the sanctuary décor and kitchen committees. Evelynn also enjoyed numerous hobbies, including cake decorating, flower arranging, crossstitch, bird watching and watching Thunder basketball. The fruits of her labor has been shared with many family members and friends. She was born and raised in Dewey County and peacefully completed her earthly journey on June 16, 2023 at the age of 96 years. She is preceded in death by her parents, Eldon and Trilla McDannald, her beloved husband Delbert Sterling Vaughan, an infant daughter, her fatherin- law and mother-inlaw, Rupy and Romaine Vaughan, a granddaughter- in-law, Tina Unruh and other loved ones. Her memory will be cherished by her children: Dennis L. Vaughan and wife Nancy of Vici, OK., Andrea René Vaughan Unruh and husband Harland of Weatherford, OK. and Todd Mac Vaughan of Leedey, OK. Her grandchildren: Julie Murlin and husband Stephen, Jennifer McCormick, Max Unruh, Miranda Motley and husband John and Lacey Nelson and husband Wes. Great grandchildren: Stacy England and husband Billy, Madison Murlin, Baily Leatherman and husband Cody, Glen McCormick, Jaxon Motley, Makinley Motley, Regan Nelson and Jayda Reynolds. Great great grandchildren: Daly Martin, Kohl Martin and Shelby Martin, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Memorials may be made to the OBHC Boys Ranch in care of Shaw Funeral Home, P.O. Box 276, Vici, OK 73859. Services were held Wednesday June 21, 2023 at 2:00 pm at the Leedey First Baptist Church with burial following at Sunnyside Cemetery, Vici, OK. Condolences may be made to the family at shawfuneralhome.net. Shaw Funeral Home of Leedey