Sandra Lue (Williams) Vaughn

     Sandra Lue Vaughn 84, of Rome, N.Y., passed away on January 24, 2024 at Rome Health with her loving family by her side.  She was born on July 17, 1939 in Harrodsburg, Kentucky, daughter of the late Laconia and Laura Bell Taylor Williams.  Sandra was the first Afro American woman to graduate from Harrodsburg H.S. in a nonsegregated class.  She continued her education later in life by attending and graduating from the Utica School of Business.

     On January 17, 1958, she married Sgt. Donald O. Vaughn, USAF, in Harrodsburg, Kentucky, then moved to Ohio to begin their lives together at the first of many military assignments.  TSgt. Donald O. Vaughn, USAF Retired, predeceased Sandra on July 5th, 1979.  Sandra was a dedicated wife and mother, standing strong for her children, while her husband Donald proudly served two tours in Vietnam.

     For over 20 years Sandra was employed by the Rome City School District.  She was also formerly employed at the N.C.O. Club and Officers Club at Griffiss Air Force Base.  Upon her move to Griffiss in 1969, Sandra began attending the Grace Union A.M.E. Church of Rome, N.Y. where she soon became the pianist and Musical Director.  Sandra was a talented pianist who could never walk past a keyboard without sitting down and playing a tune for those around her.  In her spare time Sandra enjoyed spending time with her family, going to church, collecting dolls and antiques and sharing her days and life with Joseph Owens, whom she met in the early 1980’s.  Joe and Sandra were inseparable and remained together until his death in October 2017.

     Sandra is survived by a daughter and son-in-law, Donna and Bernard Jowers of Rome; two sons, Daniel Vaughn (Patricia Feole) and William “Speedy” Vaughn of Rome; a sister, Diane Ford-Mayes of Harrodsburg, Kentucky; three grandchildren, Bernard O. Jowers I (Sarah Jowers), Jordan C. Feole and David D. Jowers; two great grandchildren, Amara G. Jowers and Bernard O’Neal Jowers II; Nephews, Craig and Gary Ford of Harrodsburg and Sean (Tony) Johnson of Amarillo, Texas; a first cousin Sue Mae Parks-Beal of Bruceton, TN and a host of relatives.  Sandra is also survived by long-time friends, Mary Jane Boyce, Dorothy Yearby, Sue Rathbun and Joanie Feole.

     A Celebration of Life was held on Friday, February 2, 2024 at 1 P.M. at the Grace Union A.M.E. Church of Rome with visitation from 11 A.M. to 1 P.M. at the church.  Arrangements were entrusted to Strong ~ Burns and Sprock Funeral Home in Rome, N.Y.

     A visitation will be held Wednesday, February 7, 2024 from 12 P.M. until 1:00 P.M. followed by a Memorial Service conducted by Rev. Louise Spencer at Sims Funeral Services in Harrodsburg.  Burial will follow in the Maple Grove Cemetery.

The funeral service at 1:00 pm today, February 7, 2024 may be watched live on the internet at: https://webcast.funeralvue.com/events/viewer/97681

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