Ella Kirven Neill Devaughn

1909 - 2008

Ella Kirven Neill DeVaughn, of Roanoke, died peacefully on Wednesday, September 3, 2008. Born in Columbus, Ga., in 1909, she was the daughter of Martha Louisa Cocke and William Cecil Neill, who was President of the Georgia State Senate. She was the greatgranddaughter of Charles Lewis Cocke, founder of Hollins College. She married Otis Henri DeVaughn of Montezuma, Ga., in 1931 and the couple moved to New York City where they lived for several years, before settling in Virginia. Ella Neill DeVaughn was a graduate of Hollins College. She played the violin for the Roanoke Symphony Orchestra. In later years she served on the World Fellowship Committee at the Second Presbyterian Church in Roanoke and was on the Board of Directors at the YWCA. In everything she did, she aimed for perfection. Above all, she was a devoted mother, who dedicated herself to the well-being of her family. She was preceded in death by her husband; her eldest child, Eleanor Howell; her sister, Elizabeth Lindsay Neill; her sister-in-law, Freda DeVaughn Allen; and a close cousin, Elizabeth Ford Lippoth. She is remembered with love by her children, Otis Henri DeVaughn Jr ., Shirley Frith and Carol Dyus; seven grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and by a close cousin, Katherine Ford. A remembrance service will be held privately at Hollins. Donations in memory of Ella Neill DeVaughn may be given to the Hollins University Library. Oakey's Roanoke Chapel is handling the arrangements, 540-982-2100.