Destia Eileen Vaughn

Destia Eileen Vaughn of California, Missouri was born to the union of William "Bill" and Frances (Crollay) Dewing on June 26, 1920 in St. James, Missouri and left from this life on Wednesday, April 17, 2013 at California Care Center in California, Missouri at the age of 92. Eileen was 5 when her mother died and she was raised by her father and grandparents. At the age of 11, she accepted Christ at Tower Grove Baptist Church in St. Louis. She graduated from St. James High School, St. James, Missouri and was employed at the Missouri Veterans Home in St. James. She was united in marriage to Noel Leroy Vaughn on December 16, 1939 in Cuba, Missouri. They moved to St. Louis, Missouri. They shared 54 years, 11 months and 2 weeks of happy marriage together. After his service in the U. S. Army they became members of Christy Memorial Methodist Church in St. Louis, where she served the church for 46 years as a Sunday School Teacher, Children's Superintendent, Chairperson of Missions and President of the United Methodist Women. She represented her church at "Church Women United of South St. Louis", working as an officer. She attended many Bible studies at Christy and other churches in the area. She was employed at Stange Manufacturing Jewelry Company for 25 years. She was Past Matron of Barbee Chapter #31, O.E.S. now Friendship Chapter #214, O.E.S. at the former Lambskin Temple, and was a Past President of the Esther Club of St. Louis and St. Louis County. Service included taking birthday and other gifts to children at Shriners Hospital. Later after moving to Cuba, Missouri, she joined Cuba Chapter #398, O.E.S. Her house was always open for friends of her children and was well known in the neighborhood and she never complained they were too much trouble. "Children come first" was a theory by which she lived. She believed that setting a Christian example was better than preaching. After their retirement, the couple moved to Cuba, Missouri and transferred their church membership to Cuba United Methodist Church. They volunteered at the Cuba Senior Center and for years delivered Meals on Wheels. After the death of her husband Eileen moved to California, Missouri to be near her daughter and joined the California Methodist Church and United Methodist Women. She is preceded in death by her parents; husband Noel L. Vaughn; sister and brother-in-law Aldena and Elmer A. Keasling; son-in-law Charles W. Parkes; brothers-in-law Everett, Earl, Floyd, Lloyd, Wilbur and Elmer Vaughn; sister-in-law Mae Vaughn. Those who are left to treasure her memory and to celebrate her inspirational life are her two children Darla Parkes of California, Missouri, Rev. Gerald and wife Jan Vaughn of Lawrence, Kansas; three grandchildren Karen and husband Nick Studt, Sharon Parkes and Debra and husband Chris Dunham; three great-grandchildren Kendra and Landen Dunham, Zooey Vaughn; brother-in-law and sisters-in-law Charles and wife Helen Vaughn, Imogene Vaughn all of Cuba, Missouri; nieces, nephews, great-nephews, great-nieces and friends. Visitation, O.E.S. service, and funeral services were held on Saturday, April 20, 2013 at Mizell Funeral Home with Rev. Eric Moore, officiating. Interment followed at Meramec Hills Cemetery, Cuba, Missouri. If desired, memorials would be appreciated to California Methodist Church or Cuba United Methodist Church. The Mizell Funeral Home is honored to be serving the Vaughn family. Online condolences at www.mizellfh.com