Marcia "Melanie" Vaughn

Marcia “Melanie” Vaughn, 58, of Statesville, transitioned to new life, Sunday, July 25, 2021 at the Gordon Hospice House.

Melanie was born June 29, 1963 in Mt. Airy, NC and was the daughter of the late Charles Sidney Vaughn and Maryette Brown Bost, who survives of Statesville. She was a graduate of Statesville High School and Pfeiffer University and was the Director of Christian Education at Pleasant Hill UMC, Providence UMC and Director of Children and Youth at St. James UMC. She also worked as a Program Assistant at the Iredell Museums and was a member of Broad Street UMC in Statesville.

In addition to her mother, Melanie is survived by her daughter, Johanna Ahmad Hage-Hassan and future son-in-love, Tyler McNeely of Charlotte; step-father, Allen Bost of Statesville; sister, Mary “Michelle” Vaughn Day of Deep Run, NC; two brothers, Charles “Mark” Vaughn (Sherrie) of Rocky Point, NC, Christopher “Michael” Vaughn (Connie) of Leland, NC; bonus brother, Devin Day; step-brother, Jonathon Sharpe; step-sister, Catherine S. Pursley and an honorary grandson, Silas Hunt McNeely.

Melanie is further survived by several aunts and uncles; Betty Jo V. Mills (Rick), Barbara Vaughn, Pat Brown Joyner, Jane Brown Hincemon; nieces and nephews, Sarah Bottoms (Charlie), Grace Wittkofsky (Tyler), Valeria Hazelwood, Destiny Vaughn, Elias, Jedidiah and Skyler Day; several cousins, Nikki, Paige, Robyn, Greg, Chris, Mollie, Tracy, Jamie, Chad, Dax; great nieces and nephews, Harli, Trenton, Brian, Cali Mae, Ayden, Jaxon; honorary nieces and nephews, Sarah Plisko Davis, Skylar Davis and honorary great nieces and nephews, Eden-Rose, Charles-William and Finlay-Harper Davis.

Melanie was the definition of agape love. Each individual who had the pleasure of encountering her love immediately became part of her life. She made sure she knew you and your story—and she remembered every part of it. She was a connector of people, a teacher, a human typewriter, a creator, a friend to all, a champion of those who had lost their way, and a mother to not just her own daughter, but to all of her “kids.” She found exceptional joy in a church, a thrift store, in giving to others and being surrounded by children and family. Melanie always celebrated the temporary and encouraged us to remember that everyone has a story. You will see her in every butterfly and in every kind gesture from one human to another. The best way to honor her life and continue her legacy is to be more like Melanie—find the good in everyone and everything just as she did.

In addition to her father, Melanie was preceded in death by an aunt, Brenda Vaughn Moore, an uncle, Jerry Vaughn and a nephew, Christian Young.

The family would like to give a special thanks to Sandy Harthan Devoid, Tamra Corriher Hicks, Joe Hamby, the staff at the Gordon Hospice House and countless others for their love and support.

Her celebration of life will be held at 1:00pm Saturday, July 31, 2021 at Broad Street United Methodist Church in Statesville, NC. The family will visit with friends following the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the People Helping People Scholarship Fund, In memory of Melanie Vaughn at Phifer University, P.O. Box 960, Misenheimer, NC 28109 or to Broad Street United Methodist Church at 315 W Broad St, Statesville, NC 28677.