Joyce Lenore Vaughan

Joyce Vaughan, 89, of Abilene passed away Thursday, July 20, 2006. The family will receive friends during a visitation from 5:30 to 7:00 pm on Friday at The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road. Graveside services will be at 10:00 am on Saturday at Elmwood Memorial Park. Rev. Chris Diebel will officiate. Joyce was born on February 6, 1917 to J.H. and Virginia (Poston) Porter in Farmersville, Texas. She attended school in Abilene. On December 26, 1932, a few weeks shy of her sixteenth birthday, she married Byron Vaughan, Sr. Although they lived sometime in Dallas and later in Blackwell and Granbury, they spent most of their married life in Abilene. She and Byron owned and operated several eating establishments in Abilene, including Thornton's at 4th and Oak. She had a quick wit and a great sense of humor. Those that knew her loved her. Joyce and Byron shared 54 years of marriage. He preceded her in death on December 28, 1985. Joyce was a Baptist. She was also preceded in death by her parents, five siblings, and a grandson, Robert Vaughan. Joyce is survived by two sons, Byron Vaughan Jr. and his wife Janis of Abilene, Don Vaughan and his wife Vicki of San Antonio; one daughter, Linda Gilliland and her husband Larry of Abilene; one sister, Jerry Ann Brookshire of Dallas; eight grandchildren, sixteen great-grandchildren, and five great-great-grandchildren. The family would like to thank the staff at West Texas Hospital, Dr. Victor Hudman, Big Country Hospice and Sears Methodist Center for the loving care she received. Memorials may be made to the Baby Bennett Lyda Fund, in care of First Christian Church, 1420 North 3rd, Abilene, Texas 79601.