Ruth McVaugh Obituary

Ruth Vaughan McVaugh DALLAS, Texas - Ruth Miller Vaughan McVaugh, 98, formerly of Edenton, passed away peacefully Sunday, April 18, 2010. Born Sept. 6, 1911 to George Byron and Jenny Swank Miller in Wilkes -Barre, Pa., she later earned her nursing degree. While working at the Public Health Hospital in Baltimore, Md., she met and married Roland H. Vaughan, M.D. of Cardwell, Va. They moved to Edenton, N.C., where Ruth became active in her church and community, serving as a Red Cross nurse volunteer during World War II, helping start the first public school kindergarten, serving as the first president of the Edenton Women's Club, and volunteering with many other community activities. Following the death of her husband, she married Robert S. McVaugh, M.D. in 1976 and they moved to Coral Gables, Fla. Following his death, she moved to Dallas in 2001. Surviving are her son, Roland H. Vaughan and wife Peggy Anne of Edenton; her daughter, Martha Miller Vaughan of Dallas; four grandchildren, Elizabeth Vaughan Williams and husband Joel, R. Harris Vaughan III and wife Ashley, all of Raleigh, N.C., Carter Vaughan Heilman of Austin, Texas and Claiborne Heilman Linvill and husband Darren of Clemson, S.C.; six great-grandchildren, Joel Thomas Cheatham and Frances Belle Williams, Ella Reaves, R. Harris IV, and Jack Turnor Fletcher Vaughan, and Sylvia Ruth Linvill; and one niece, Melinda Miller of Las Vegas, Nev. A memorial service will be held Sunday, April 25, at 2 p.m. in St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Edenton, by the Rev. Thomas Rickenbaker. Burial will follow in Beaver Hill Cemetery. Miller Funeral Home & Crematory, 735 Virginia Road, Edenton, is assisting with arrangements. Friends may join the family at the home of Roland and Peggy Anne Vaughan, 209 E. Water St., Edenton. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to any chapter of the Salvation Army or St. Paul's Episcopal Church, P.O. Box 548 or the Edenton Historical Commission, 505 S. Broad St., both in Edenton, NC 27932. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.millerfhc.com.

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Published by The Virginian-Pilot on Apr. 20, 2010.

Memories and Condolences
for Ruth McVaugh

2 Entries

Karen Vinso

April 25, 2010

Sorry to hear of "Aunt Ruth's" passing. I am Karen Thomas Vinso, Melinda Miller's childhood friend. I remember many of Melinda's relatives. It even surprises me. I remember Roland, Martha and their Mother. I remember Aunt Faith and some relatives from the Martin family. I guess Melinda having company at her house didn't stop me from running next door to visit! My thoughts are with you all. Karen

Melinda Miller

April 24, 2010

Oh Aunt Ruth,

How I remember your throaty laugh and great conversation--your joy de vivre. You were the true matriarch of the family.

You were an independent woman for your time. You were educated--a nurse. Moving to Baltimore from your hometown of Wilkes-Barre was quite an adventure. You met Uncle Roland, married and moved to Edenton, still farther away. Your son, my cousin, Roland, came along the same year I was born. You purchased the cottage at the beach in Kill Devil Hills. Martha was born.

Over the years, I well remember your visits to Wilkes-Barre, a source of much excitement for me, your niece. One of the fondest memories I have as children is Roland trying to make the decision whether to see the Wilkes-Barre Barons, the AAA baseball team, for the first time with his Uncle Donny or go to the Poconos with Martha and me to see an off-Broadway play. Baseball won! During these trips, it was a chance for you to see Grandma and Grandpa and your sisters--Helen, Faith, Doris and brothers, Ralph and Donny.

Then there is the beach where Mother, Daddy and I spent two weeks every summer from the time I was a small child. We had a routine. Breakfast in the morning, a trip to the general store to get the mail and enjoy our coke floats and a morning swim. This was followed by lunch (oh those crabs were so good) an afternoon rest, a swim and cocktails on the veranda for the adults and play for the children and, of course, dinner.

Uncle Roland and you derived great pleasure from my Father, your brother. I can still see Daddy doing touch-up painting on the cottage. He never seemed to rest, but when he did it could include a nap on the kitchen table. He liked hard surfaces--a remnant of time served in World War II.

I remember Roland getting into trouble with Hattie, your maid at the time. His solution to the problem was to run down to the beach into the ocean to escape Hattie's rath (Hattie was afraid of the water). Martha and I were "girlie" girls. I was the older one; Martha followed my lead (not true today). We spent wonderful times together.

The years sped by. During my college days, I remember spending one Thanksgiving weekend with you. l knew you had become a true southerner when you decided to host a tea for me to introduce me to the young ladies of Edenton.

Time passed. Roland married Peggy Anne and Martha married, too.

Your life was not without tragedy. Uncle Roland died unexpectedly far too young--a generous man both as a father and a physician. Ultimately, you would remarry.

Grandchildren arrived and then your great-grandchildren. How could this happen so quickly--great-grandchildren.

You never lost your joy of living even in the later years. I remember our being together in Wilkes-Barre breaking up the family homestead. What fun we had together. We laughed and laughed and laughed. ....

And now,

Roland and Martha,

Cherish the memories with your Mother and know how much she loved you and was proud of you both. She spoke of you lovingly to me often. You should have no regrets as a son and daughter.

Liza, Harris, Vaughan and Claiborne know that you had an extraordinary Grandmother.

And for the great-grandchildren, I only wish that you had known your great-grandmother in the earlier years, but that is life.

And, finally, Aunt Ruth, my love for you can only be measured in the fact that I considered you a second mother. Thanks for the memories....

With much love always, your niece,

Melinda