Rosella Vaughn

Rosella Harris Vaughn, 73, departed this life on Feb. 7, 2007. She was born on May 4, 1934, in Statesville, to the late Richard J. Harris Sr. and Mary Jane Smith Harris. Rosella graduated from Livingstone College where she earned a bachelor's degree in education. Not long after ac-quiring her degree, she married Henry Primes Pierce and gave birth to two daughters and a son. They later moved to Washington, D.C., where she taught primary education in the District of Columbia. She also completed her master's in education degree at George Washington University as well as completed courses toward a doctorate at the same institution. She then journeyed to Lancaster, Pa., where she worked for the Lancaster County Human Relations Commission as an investigator and involved herself in community affairs, where upon she diligently worked as a program coordinator at the YWCA, working with single mothers as she helped them to secure employment. Furthermore, with the same drive and intent of purpose, she revived a flagging community center (Crispus Attucks Community Center) where, because of her efforts, she was elevated to the esteemed title of President of Crispus Attucks Community Center. After having accomplished so much in Lancaster, Pa., she suffered the lost of her husband to a tragic accident, leaving her wistful for her hometown and siblings. She moved back to Statesville in 1993, where she retired from work. She was a member of Mt. Pleasant AME Zion Church, where she worked with the Christian Education Department, was a member of Dorcus Chapter, OES No. 287, AL KHATTAB Court No. 180 of the Daughters of ISIS. Rosella was also instrumental in initiating the concept of a Martin Luther King Jr. prayer breakfast in Statesville. She was preceded in death by husbands, James Vaughn and Henry Primes Pierce and a son, Oji "Phillip" Pierce. She leaves to cherish the memories of her life, two daughters, Dyrel Pierce and Ledra Mesta; seven grandchildren, Kia, La Tia, Nathaniel and Oji Pierce, Nigel Mesta Jr., Tiana and Chantel Mesta; two great-granddaughters, Laveah Redmond and Zaree Mayberry; two sisters, Janie H. Jones and Ruby H. Thomas; a brother, the Rev. Richard J. Harris ll; a beloved sister-in-law, Nellie Massey Harris; and a host of loving nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. A service to celebrate Rosella's life will be conducted at 2 p.m. Saturday at Mt. Pleasant AME Zion Church where the Rev. J.T. White is pastor. The Rev. Burrell Brooks will eulogize with burial to follow in the Belmont Cemetery. Visitation and moments of sharing will be one-half hour before the service. Condolen-ces can be sent via e-mail to davismfh@yahoo.com. Services of comfort are entrusted to the care of Davis and Mangum Mortuary.