Rita Vaughan

Rita Vaughan obituary, Panama City Beach, FL

Rita Vaughan

Rita Vaughan Obituary

Visit the Kent-Forest Lawn Funeral Home and Cemeteries website to view the full obituary.
Rita Vaughan, age 83, of Panama City Beach, Florida passed away on Thursday, February 26, 2026 after a long battle with COPD.

Rita was born in Lansing, MI on December 21, 1942 to the late Juanita Ward and Fred Ward. She lived in Burton, MI after graduating from Benton Harbor High School.

She married her husband, James Vaughan, and had 3 children.

She loved to read books and ride her golf cart to Lake Powell to people watch.

She is survived by her 2 sons, Robert (Karen) Vaughan and James Vaughan; and 1 daughter, Terry (John) Derrenbacher; 4 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her father, Fred Ward and mother, Juanita Ward; her brothers, Dan Ward and Robert Ward; and sister, Carol Fuller.

Funeral service will begin at 12:00 PM on Wednesday, March 4, 2026 at Kent-Forest Lawn Funeral Home, 2403 Harrison Avenue, Panama City, FL 32405.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Kent-Forest Lawn Funeral Home and Cemeteries

2403 Harrison Avenue, Panama City, FL 32405

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