Henry Vaughan

Henry Earl Vaughan KELFORD - Henry Earl Vaughan, 73, a native of Halifax County, North Carolina, succumbed to a long illness Jan. 12, 2009, in Roanoke-Chowan Hospital in Ahoskie. Mr. Vaughan served in the U.S. Marine Corps. He was proficient in swimming and was a specialist in the marital arts with a black belt in judo and in ju jitsu. In addition, Mr. Vaughan received a diploma from Old Dominion University in Virginia for studies in labor law. At one time, Mr. Vaughan also owned and operated two retail bakeries in Portsmouth. During his tenure of many years as an executive board member in Richmond, Va., for the Bakery, Confectionery and Tobacco Workers Union, he was appointed the business agent for the State of Virginia Union organization. In the 1950s and 60s, Mr. Vaughan was foremost in the civil rights movement. He continued to be active in community service and was the founder of the Innersearch Organization for Community Improvement, Assistance and Enrichment. Mr. Vaughan and his organization were instrumental in the origination and development of the movement for city consolidation of Bertie County, North Carolina, which would create the largest city in the state of North Carolina at completion. In later years, Mr. Vaughan retired from residential contracting, development and real estate investment. Survivors include his wife, Rebecca; two sons, Michael and Jamie; his sister, Virginia Bishop of Roanoke Rapids; his brothers, James Vaughan, Shelby Vaughan, Alan "Wayne" Vaughan, Ronnie Vincent, Bennie Rae Vincent and Larry Wade Vincent; and five grandchildren. A graveside service will be today at 2 p.m. in Cedarwood Cemetery, Roanoke Rapids, with Pastor Daniel Bran officiating. Wrenn, Clarke & Hagan Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Roanoke Rapids, is handling arrangements.