Mary Katherine Vaughan

On March 9, 1928, Mary Katherine Britton was born at home near Brinkman, Oklahoma in Greer County. Her parents were A and Willie Lee Halford Britton. Mary Katherine passed away on Friday, October 20, 2023, at her home in Brownfield. She was 95 years old.

Mary Katherine grew up on a farm near Jester, Oklahoma. As a young girl she spent many hours in the fields hoeing and pulling cotton. She attended Deer Creek, Eastview, and Reed Schools in Oklahoma. At age 15, Mary Katherine waded into the water of a dirt tank to be baptized.

On November 4, 1945, Mary Katherine married Gordon Vaughan at Wellington, Texas. They were married for 45 years. Gordon worked for the Federal Government with the National Geodetic Survey of the Department of Commerce. Due to that occupation, Mary Katherine and Gordon lived in 180 towns all over the United States. A health issue forced Gordon to retire in 1984, and they settled in Brownfield to be near family. Gordon passed away in 1990. Of all the places she has resided, Mary Katherine lived in Brownfield the longest. She would tell others that Brownfield was “home” and she loved her time in that community.

Mary Katherine was a homemaker most of her life, caring for the family and grandkids she cherished. She also worked as a meal preparer for 22 years at Meals on Wheels, and retired at age 78. Mary Katherine was talented in so many areas, but her free time was most often spent with yarn and a crochet hook in her hands. She was a member of Brownfield Church of Christ, where she enjoyed attending Ladies Bible Class. She felt blessed to have special friendships throughout her life. She was a living example of love.

Mary Katherine is survived by her three children, Don Vaughan (Jackie) of Mason City, Iowa; Carolyn Sexton (Roy) of Brownfield; Stephen Vaughan (Sheryl) of Brownfield; and a niece, Ginger Jenkins of Chandler, Arizona, also raised in the home.

Mary Katherine was preceded in death by her grandson, Kacey Vaughan of Mason City, Iowa. Her surviving grandchildren are Dina Bynog, Cherie Yoder, Thomas Sexton, Lacey Quigley, Sean Vaughan, and Stewart Vaughan. She is also survived by eight great-grandchildren, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Funeral Services for Mary Katherine will be held at 2:00 pm on Tuesday, October 24, 2023, at the Brownfield Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will follow at Terry County Cemetery under the direction of Brownfield Funeral Home.

The family wishes to express their gratitude to Interim Hospice Care. The compassion and dedication given Mary Katherine made her last weeks easier.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations to Terry County Senior Citizen Center, 1201 Tahoka Road, Brownfield, Texas, 79316.