Carole Ruth Vaughan reached the end of her extraordinary, love-filled life and was united with her Savior at the age of 81. She passed peacefully in her sleep in the early hours of January 24, 2025, at the home of her son and daughter-in-law, lovingly surrounded by her devoted family.

Born on October 12, 1943, to Charles and Mary Ruth Grindstaff in Greenville, South Carolina, Carole’s life was marked by unwavering faith, boundless talent, and steadfast love. From a very young age, Carole exhibited a remarkable gift for music, particularly the piano. She disliked reading sheet music and discovered a natural ability to play by ear, often listening to her older sister Evelyn practice and then mastering the same pieces effortlessly. Her piano playing was graceful and transcendent, a constant source of joy and beauty in her life and the lives of others.

Carole was also an incredibly gifted vocalist. After graduating from Carolina High School in 1961, she followed her passion for music and faith to Lee Junior College (now Lee University) in Cleveland, Tennessee, where she sang as a soprano in the Campus Choir, sharing her voice with fellow believers.
Growing up, Carole attended Washington Avenue Church of God with her family, and also attended when home from college. It was there, on a Sunday morning, that she noticed a young Marine in uniform who caught her eye. With a spark of humor and confidence, she remarked, “Now that’s a good-looking man.” That Marine was Roland Vaughan, a man who not only shared her Greenville roots but also her deep faith and a calling to the mission field. God’s hand was evident in their meeting, and the two fell deeply in love. They married on June 4, 1966.

Together, Carole and Roland embarked on a life of service that would take them across Central America. In 1968, just two months after the birth of their first son, Michael, they packed their car in Cleveland and began their missionary journey, starting at a Bible school in Mexico. Carole gave birth to their second son, Mark, in 1970, and the young family dedicated many years to ministry and teaching across Mexico, Honduras, Panama, and Guatemala. Their boys grew up bilingual, speaking Spanish as their first language while English was spoken at home. Carole and Roland immersed themselves in the vibrant cultures of Central America, making lifelong connections and creating cherished memories in service to God.
Later in life, as their boys entered high school and they were back in the United States, Carole pursued another calling. She earned her Nursing degree with honors from Cleveland State Community College. She went on to make a significant impact in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Bradley General Hospital and later at the Bradley County Health Department, caring deeply for the most vulnerable patients.
At home, Carole’s gifts as a nurturer extended to her cooking, which was nothing short of legendary. She filled her family’s table with meals made from the heart-favorites like Picadillo, Chicken Enchiladas, and Stir-Fry, as well as beloved Southern dishes. Every meal was a testament to her love of cooking and her love of family, as she always had a smile on her face. They were often followed by a homemade dessert like pineapple upside-down cake and a few joyful songs she played on the piano.

When she wasn’t cooking or playing music, Carole could often be found curled up in her favorite chair, immersed in the Bible or one of the many books she treasured. In the evenings, she shared quiet moments with Roland watching their favorite Westerns, especially Gunsmoke. She was also very active in watching the news and keeping up with current events.

She was a devoted and loving grandmother who shared a special bond with her grandsons. Their weekends spent at her farm were filled with cherished memories: chasing chickens, climbing trees, watching movies, and savoring her delicious home-cooked meals. Her grandsons will forever hold close the warmth of her stories, the sweetness of her songs, the sound of her laughter, the light of her joy, and most of all, the boundless love she gave them.

Carole’s life can be summed up in two words: devotion and strength. She was devoted to her faith, never questioning her calling or wavering in her trust in God. She was devoted to her family, tirelessly loving, supporting, and nurturing them. But alongside her devotion was an unshakable strength. She stood firmly for what she believed and shared her convictions without hesitation or fear. Her strength was most evident in the face of challenges, particularly during dangerous situations in the mission field, where her courage never faltered. Through every trial, she remained steadfast in her commitment to her husband, her family, and her God. Carole’s steady, loving presence was both a source of comfort and a beacon of resilience. Her devotion and strength will forever inspire those who knew her, and her absence will leave a profound void in the lives she touched. She will be deeply missed but forever remembered, celebrated, and loved.

Carole is predeceased by her parents, Charles and Mary Ruth; her brother-in-law, Eugene (Brenda); and her eldest son, Michael. She is survived by her beloved husband of 58 years, Roland; her youngest son, Mark, daughters-in-law Tiffany and Greta; and her three cherished grandsons, Vincent, Ethan, and Isaac, and her soon-to-be granddaughter-in-law, Reagan. She also leaves behind her sister, Evelyn (Jimmy); her brother, Greg (Gail); her sisters-in-law, Cornelia (Ray), Theresa (Jim), and Marie (Carl); as well as numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews.