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Submitted: 1/18/21 • Approved: 1/18/21 • Last Updated: 1/21/21 • R1360813-G1360811-S3
Ray Vaughn, Sr
November 2, 1926 - July 25, 2012
Ruby Marie
Apr 30, 1931 - Mar 7, 2014
Ray Vaughan Reed, Sr. was born on November 2, 1926 in Story, Arkansas, sixth child to Monroe and Nellie Southard Reed. As the youngest child for six years, he was the center of attention until the twins came along. He adored the twins and developed a love for children. This resulted in his unmatched skills as Daddy and Papa. He attended school in Story and graduated from Mount Ida High School following his U.S. Army service.
Ray loved his country and while stationed in post-war Japan he wrote letters and sent photos home. He missed his family dearly, but was excited to see the world and meet new people. Japan was certainly a long journey from Story. Prior to that trip, the furthest he had been from home was to Maine. He and his big brother, John, journeyed to Maine to "get rich" digging potatoes!
Soon after discharge from the military, Ray married his sweetheart, an out-going girl, "from over on Union Hill." Ruby Marie Stewart defied her parents and married Ray on October 16, 1949. The wedding was held, "between Sunday School and church", at Muddy Creek Church of God. He doted on her for the next sixty-two years.
Three years later Dawn Carolyn, daughter, was born followed by Ray Vaughan, Jr., son, in another three years. Ray proved to be an excellent father to Dawn and Vaughan and later Papa to Jarrod, Lori Brooke and Erin. He continued parenting and teaching in the capacity of children's school teacher, father, grandfather and uncle.
Ray went to work in 1952 for Safeway food stores in El Dorado, Arkansas and retired after thirty years of service. He was a meat marker manager who took pride in his work and enjoyed serving his customers.
Retirement brought full-time hunting and fishing, accompanied by friends including, James Pope and Carl Merriweather. Baseball was his team sport of choice having, played as a child and later watching the Arkansas Travelers in Little Rock and the St. Louis Cardinals on television.
Ray loved his Lord and belonged to the Church of God his entire life. He spent hours each week studying the Bible and preparing Sunday school lessons for the children's classes which he taught. His Christian values were exemplified daily until his death on Wednesday, July 25 at the Montgomery County Nursing Home.
He was preceded in death by parents, James Monroe and Nellie Southard Reed; brother, William Varney; and sisters, Vera, Violet, Lois and Erma Lee.
Surviving are his wife, Ruby; daughter and son-in-law, Dawn and Terry Marshall; son and daughter-in-law, Vaughan and Sharma Reed; grandchildren, Jarrod and Sandi Purifoy, Lori Purifoy, and Erin Reed; great-grandchildren, Layne Pender, Alex Purifoy, and Jack Nutt; brothers and sisters-in-law, John and Melba Reed and Paul and Reva Reed; and brother-in-law and sister-in-law, James and Julie Stewart. He is also survived by long time friends, Carl Merriweather, Don and Iris Grisham and Billie Tedford Greene; and a host of nieces and nephews whom he adored.
Funeral services will be held at 10:00 AM, Tuesday, July 31 in the Muddy Creek Church of God with Elise Morrison officiating.
Interment will be in the Reed Cemetery under the direction of Davis-Smith Funeral Home, Hot Springs.
Visitation will be held from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM, Monday evening.
Charitable donations may be made to "Meals on Wheels" of Hot Springs, Muddy Creek Church of God or Reed Cemetery.
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Ruby Marie Stewart Reed was born on April 30, 1931 to Lonnie and Edna Rowland Stewart in Story, Arkansas. As the eldest daughter she cooked for the family and cared for the younger children. She attended school through tenth grade, but was required to drop-out to care for the children.
At the age of eighteen Ruby married Ray Vaughn Reed, son of James Monroe Reed and Nellie Southard Reed. The ceremony was conducted between Sunday School and church at Muddy Creek Church of God. They moved to Austin, Texas and then to various towns around south Arkansas. Daughter Dawn was born in El Dorado and son Vaughan in Crossett.
The family moved to Hot Springs to be closer to relatives. While Ray worked, Ruby cared for the children, ran the household and spent time with family and close friends Harold and Billy Greene. They attended Fairview Church of God and later Oaklawn Church of God. Her favorite pastor was the Bible Scholar Marcus Phillips.
After the children began school Ruby worked for friend Tommie Sue Hunt at the Sand's Restaurant. It was the perfect place to meet people including Don and Iris Grisham, her close friends. She also worked for many years selling Electrolux vacuum cleaners. Her full time job was letter carrier for the U.S. Postal Service. She was one of two women who became the first full-time female carriers. She retired two decades later as the first woman to do so.
Over the years, Ruby's hobbies were attending the races at Oaklawn Park, playing piano, guitar, and even accordion. She loved baking pies and decorating the house. Dawn and Vaughan both learned to read music and play instruments because of her.
Ruby earned the nickname of "Pinky" early on in life, the meaning of which came from pink clothes and later a home decorated in pink. This "pink" home was full of activity: cooking and baking, music, entertaining, laughing, political debate, story-telling, and learning. In later years the primary focus was in spoiling the grandchildren. Ruby and Ray were thrilled when the great grandsons joined the family.
Ruby and Ray moved into the Montgomery County Nursing Home, sharing a room. They were spoiled by the staff until the end of their lives. Relatives were able to visit often, especially sister-in-law Melba who along with Dawn, were with her for her passage to the next life. The family will forever be grateful for the excellent medical care, family atmosphere, and hugs and kisses from the staff of the amazing group of dedicated professionals.
She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Vaughan and Sharma Reed; her daughter and son-in-law, Dawn and Terry Marshall; her grandchildren, Jarrod and Sandi Purifoy, Lori and Jimmy Pender, and Erin Reed; great-grandchildren, Jack Nutt, Layne Pender and Alex Purifoy; her brother and sister-in-law, James and Julie Stewart, her brothers-in-law and sister-in-law, John and Melba Reed and Paul Reed; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Pallbearers will be Terry Marshall, Jimmy Pender, Jarrod Purifoy, Gary Reed, Tommy Johnson and David Wetzler.
Honorary pallbearers will be James Stewart and Don and Iris Grisham.
Services will be held at 10:00 AM, Tuesday, March 11, 2014 in the Muddy Creek Church of God, Story, with Jimmy Pender and Jarrod Purifoy officiating under the direction of Davis-Smith Funeral Home, Hot Springs.
Visitation will be Monday evening from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM at Davis-Smith Funeral Home, Hot Springs.
Interment will be in the Reed Cemetery, Story.
Photo courtesy of Kenneth Lambert
Contributed on 1/18/21 by hawkinsdonna48
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Record #: 1360813