Reverend Dr. James Melvin Vaughn

The Reverend Dr., J. Melvin Vaughn, 91, formerly of Duncan, SC, died Thursday, February 27, 2025, at Grand Strand Hospital, Myrtle Beach, SC.
He was born November 30, 1933, in Greenville, SC to Isadore M. and Lillie Jeter Vaughn.
He first worked at Steel Heddle Mill in Greenville. At 17, he married Nellie K. Galloway. As a young man, he felt the call to preach, and began speaking some at Tabernacle Baptist Church, and did supply pastoring in Union, SC. He attended North Greenville Junior College around this time, and in 1959, received his first pastorate at Holt Street Baptist Church in Lexington, NC. He went on to pastor at Bright Light Baptist, Robbins, NC, Mountain View Baptist, Asheboro, NC, and Calvary Baptist, Henderson, NC.
In 1977, Melvin and Nellie visited their son, Charles, and daughter-in-law, Peggy, who were serving as missionaries to Brazil. The following year, Melvin and Nellie moved there to become missionaries with Baptist International Missions, Inc (BIMI), where they joyfully served many years, until Nellie's cancer diagnosis prompted their return to the U.S.
After Nellie's death, he married Edna G. Akers, and they returned to Brazil for a short time. Over the next 20 years, he would speak at mission conferences and other services, continuing to encourage and support missionaries, pastors, and his home church, Tabernacle Baptist, where he was a member and received an honorary doctorate for his extensive pastoral and mission work.
Melvin enjoyed music and singing, hunting, fishing, gardening, and traveling. He and his brothers helped each other build their homes on land purchased by their father on Paris Mountain in Greenville. More than anything, he worked tirelessly preaching the message of Jesus Christ.
Melvin is survived by daughter, Rebecca V. Poole (Bennie), Henderson, NC; sons, James M. Vaughn, Jr. (Ellen), Longs, SC, Rev. Charles M. Vaughn (Peggy), Willow Park, TX, and Paul J. Vaughn (Michele), Henderson, NC; grandchildren Angela R. Kromer (Mike), Stacey R. Thornton (Sam), Tabatha Ray (Geneva), Jaime V. Waynick (Jeffery), Jonathan Vaughn, Jeremy Vaughn, Lily V. Lord (Curtis), Thomas Vaughn (Keshia), Charles Vaughn, Jr. (Penny), Stephen Vaughn (Alessandra), Daniel Vaughn (Patricia), David Vaughn (Fabiana), Jennifer V. Stanley (Jarrod), Anthony Vaughn, and Megan Vaughn (Shaun); 24 great-grandchildren, 6 great-great grandchildren; stepchildren, Stefania Blackstock (John), David Akers (Lisa), and Wayne Akers (Cindy); and sister, Dorothy V. Hannon, Campbell, CA.
In addition to his parents and wives, he was preceded in death by his siblings, Janie V. Quinn, Louise V. Compton, I. M. Vaughn, Jr., Julia V. Crain, E. Lamont Vaughn, and Robert M. Vaughn.
A visitation will be held on Saturday, March 8, 2025, from 11:30 a.m. until 12:45 p.m., at Tabernacle Baptist Church, 3931 White Horse Rd., Greenville, SC, with the funeral service to follow at 1:00 p.m. Burial will follow in Mountain View Memorial Park, Traveler's Rest.
Family and friends who are unable to attend the service can view the Livestream by clicking on the "WATCH EVENT"
Memorials may be made to Tabernacle Baptist Missions International (TBMI), or to Tabernacle Children's Home, both at 3931 White Horse Rd., Greenville, SC 29611.
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