Willie Edward Vaughn

Willie Edward Vaughn, son of Ollie Redmond, Jr. and the late Lerlene Joiner Draper and stepson of the late Marie Redmond and Jessie Draper, entered this life on June 15, 1962, in Sardis, MS.

Willie, known as BaeBae to close family members, enjoyed growing up with his sisters and brothers. He had very special relationships with each one of his siblings. On the morning bench at Harrisonville Missionary Baptist Church, he accepted Jesus as his savior

He attended Oxford city schools and after high school, he moved to New York. While in New York, he met and married Lisa Stewart. Also while in New York, he completed a three year apprenticeship training to earn the title of Journeyman Painter with the Local Painter's Union. He and Lisa relocated to St. Louis, MO and Willie went on to earn an Associate's degree from Marshall University and in 1998, he incorporated Vaughn Painting, LLC. A few years later he was offered a position as Painting Instructor for Job Corps of St. Louis, where he worked for 15 years.

In 2016, he relocated back to his hometown of Oxford, where he rededicated his life to Jesus and joined New Enon Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Pastor Robert Vaughn Sr. At New Enon, he used his singing talents for God's glory. He had one more calling in his life. He decided to fulfil his lifelong desire to drive a "Big Rig." He went back school at Delta Technical School and achieved his CDL certification in 2020. He started working for Paschall Truck Lines, INC. and traveled across the country until his illness would no longer allow him to drive.

Willie departed this life on August 29, 2021, at home in Oxford, MS. His life’s journey leaves his wife of 27 years, Lisa; one daughter, Kimberly of St. Louis, M; one son, Willis of Memphis, TN; four grandchildren, Jaelynn of Oxford MS, Nevaeh of St. Louis MO, Natalya and Osiris both of Memphis, TN; one great-grandchild, Zhiland of Oxford MS; five brothers; Robert (Ruthie)Vaughn, Ollie Fitzgerald Redmond, Donald (Felicia) Draper, Jessie Carl (Mae Lois) Draper all of Oxford MS and Kenneth (Yvette) Draper of St. Louis, MO; four sisters, Flora Dickens of Atlanta, GA, Lori (Larry) Rice, of Oxford, MS, Pamela Redmond Butler of Atlanta, GA and Renee Redmond of Memphis, TN; a special cousin/brother/friend, John (Salam) Cancer of St. Louis, MO; uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and a host friends to celebrate his life’s journey.
 
Willie was preceded in death by one sister, Sherry Draper: two brothers, Ronald and Christopher Draper, and one granddaughter, Johanna.