Joyce Vaughan

Joyce Wilson Harrell Vaughan of Pawleys Island, SC, formerly of Selma, died peacefully on Nov. 9, 2017, in Murrells Inlet, SC, following a long illness.

Mrs. Vaughan was born Jan. 6, 1934, in Selma, Ala., to Mazie and L. Fonzy Wilson.

She attended Selma Public Schools and was a 1952 graduate of Albert G. Parrish High School.

Shortly after her graduation, Mrs. Vaughan married James Marcus Harrell, also of Selma, who was serving with the U.S. Navy. After spending two years in California, the couple returned to Selma, following his honorable discharge. They raised a family together and were only a few days shy of their 27 wedding anniversary at the time of his death.  He was employed as an officer with City National Bank and later as National Sales Director for American Candy Co., while Mrs. Vaughan began working in the health care field.

She was widowed in 1979, following a fatal automobile crash that claimed Mr. Harrell’s life.

In 1986, Mrs. Vaughan married William “Bill” Watkins Vaughan of Selma. They enjoyed many of the same interests, including boating on the Alabama River, deep-sea fishing in the Gulf, and spending time at a second home in Orange Beach.

Mrs. Vaughan retired from Dunn Rest Home in Selma as Social Services and Activities Coordinator in 1991, and was a consultant for several nursing homes. She was nationally qualified as Activities Consultant Certified (ACC) and licensed by the National Council for Therapeutic Certification.

She was an active member of Central Baptist and Elkdale Baptist churches in Selma, having served as Women’s Missionary Union president, Childrens Choir Director, Youth summer camp counselor and director of Vacation Bible School. She also sang in the choirs of both churches, just to name a few of her many roles in the church communities that she was a part of.

In addition to numerous church-related activities, she was a charter member of Alpha I Civitan Club, founder of Friends Together for the handicapped in Dallas County, a member of Two Rivers Intragency Council to improve services to handicapped children, and a member of the board of directors for the Alabama Mentally Retarded Association.

Additionally, she served as president of the Dallas County Mentally Retarded Association, vice president of Region V Activities Coordinators, and city chairman for the American Heart Association

Following the death of Mr. Vaughan in 1993, Mrs. Vaughan moved to Pawleys Island, SC, to live with her daughter, Cathryn Harrell Tullos (Jesse), and her family in 2004.

In addition to her daughter, she is survived by two sons, James Fonzy Harrell of Enterprise, and Michael Douglas Harrell of Opp; a sister, Elna Wilson Scales (John) of Selma; brother in law: Calvin Luther Harrell of Prattville, AL two granddaughters, Becky Harrell Glass (James J.) of Pell City, and Adrienne Joyce Tullos of Pawleys Island, SC; three grandsons, Barry Lee Harrell (Carrie) of Mountain City, Texas, Jesse Carlton Tullos III of Atlanta, Ga., and Matthew Douglas Harrell (Rebecca) of Vincent; two great-grandsons, Landon Benjamin Grimes of Knoxville, and Elijah Harrell of Vincent; a great-granddaughter, Eliana Harrell of Vincent; and a host of nieces and nephews that  she dearly loved and cherished.

Funeral services will be held at Lawrence Brown Funeral Service Chapel at 2pm Sunday with Rev. Travis Barnes officiating with visitation immediately prior to the service from 1-2pm. Graveside will be at New Live Oak Cometary following the chapel service.

Pallbearers will be the grandsons: Barry Harrell and Jesse Tullos lll,  Great grandson Landon Grimes and nephews John Scales Jr, Patton Scales and Kirby Scales.