Joyce Vaughn

Celebrating the Life of Elder Joyce Marie Vaughn Born: January 6, 1940 – Passed: January 21, 2023 The temperature in Chicago, IL was a cold and frosty 13 degrees on January 6, 1940. Although there was a layer of snow on the ground one-inch deep, a beautiful bundle of joy warmed the hearts of all who welcomed her into the world that day—especially the hearts of her parents, James “Jimmy” Arthur Purnell and Willie Mabel Cole Purnell. They agreed to name her “Joyce” to remind themselves of the joy they felt on the day of her birth. Joyce was the only child of Jimmy and Mabel. They raised her on the Southside of Chicago-- 61 st and Indiana to be exact--in a warm and nurturing home filled with extended family, friends, beauty, and music. Most of the music heard in their home was produced by Joyce. She began taking piano lessons at the age of six and a few years later, her parents gave her a baby grand of her own. She spent countless hours practicing and perfecting her piano skills so that she could play her mother’s favorite song, “Clair de Lune” by Claude Debussy. Although Joyce lost her mother to cancer shortly after Joyce’s sixteenth birthday, she continued to play Mabel’s favorite song on her piano as a way to remember and reconnect with her. As time went on, Joyce often played “Clair de Lune” for her own family as a way of introducing them to Mabeland keeping her memory ever-present. Joyce’s parents were strong advocates for education and insisted that she have the best and most possible. Her natural intellectual ability and driving curiosity made school Joyce’s favorite place to be. She began her formal education at Betsy Ross Elementary School, but in 1948, transferred to St. Edmond’s Parochial School where she was a graduate of their first middle-school class. Joyce graduated from Englewood High School in 1956-57 where she excelled both academically and socially. In addition to maintaining an “A” average at Englewood and being active in many school organizations and activities, she was also a founding and extremely proud member of the “Originals”—a social club started by her and many of her classmates. Joyce cherished and nurtured her childhood and high school friendships very much. She kept in close contact with most of them up until the time of her death. After her mother’s death, Joyce and Jimmy went to live with her grandmother, Jimmy’s mother, Mattie Jones Purnell Flowers Taylor. They didn’t have to move very far since “Flowers” (as Joyce affectionately called her,) lived on the same street. Flowers was firm but loving and instilled in Joyce the importance of living a life of service to God, family, and community. Joyce received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Education from Roosevelt University in 1962. She would go on to teach all levels in schools for nearly thirty years—from elementary to collegiate- in Memphis, TN; Chicago, IL; and San Diego, CA. After graduating from Roosevelt, Joyce relocated to Memphis to begin her first teaching job. It didn’t take long for her to realize that Memphis was not for her. She soon began to dream about the sunshine and possibilities she had heard were in Los Angeles, CA and moved there in 1963. After living a very fast-paced and exciting life Los Angeles for five years AND now a mother for the first time, she began to long for a slower, more settled way of living for her daughter and herself. A close friend suggested she visit San Diego, CA. Joyce and her daughter moved to San Diego in 1968. Not long after settling there, a mutual friend introduced her to Robert “Bobby” Curtiss Vaughn, Jr. Joyce and Bobby married in July of 1969 at the Little Chapel of the Roses in Chula Vista, CA. They were married for almost 52 years and parented three children: Tracy Lynn Vaughn-Manley, Robert Curtiss Vaughn, III; and David James Vaughn. While working as a Deputy Probation officer for San Diego County and building a life with her husband and children, Joyce began to feel the Spirit of the Lord calling her to the ministry. She graduated from Bethel Seminary with a Master of Arts degree in Christian Education in 1982 and then committed to that ministry. She served in various capacities of Christian Education in Southeast San Diego and surrounding cities where she conducted seminars and training curricula in Christian leadership for pastors, ministers, and lay leaders. On September 21, 1990, the newly licensed and ordained Rev. Joyce M. Vaughn founded Immanuel Bible College in response to many she encountered expressing the need to learn more about their Christian identity. On June 4, 1994, the first graduating class was honored for completing the Biblical Studies Certificate Program. In 1995, the College was accredited by theState of California to issue Associate of Arts Degrees in Christian Education and Biblical Studies. Rev. Joyce continued to be the Director of Immanuel Bible College from 1990 until her retirement in 2007. After being empty-nesters for several years, Joyce and Bobby relocated to Murrieta, CA in 2008 to join the membership of Imani Temple COGIC in Temecula, CA. They were both active members serving as coordinators of the Marriage Enrichment Ministry and the Murrieta Prayer Cell. Joyce was also a proud member of the Imani Elders Council. In 2019, Elder Joyce joined the Family Worship Center of Murrieta and remained a member there until her passing. Elder Joyce M. Vaughn is survived by her daughter Tracy Lynn Vaughn-Manley, PhD. (Jesse); her son Robert Curtiss Vaughn, III; her grandchildren Amber Mari Vaughn, Romeo Moore, Robert Allen Vaughn, Cole Parker Vaughn, Aaron Renfroe, Daylen Renee Vaughn, and Trevion Matthews; her dear friends Ira Hudson (John) and Arthur Buckley; and other friends, extended family, and colleagues. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Robert C. Vaughn, Jr. ; and her youngest son, David James Vaughn. Visitation 02/09/2023 9:30 AM Imani Temple of Temecula Church of God In Christ Christian Community Center 34590 Calle Arnaz Temecula, Ca 92592 Funeral Service 02/09/2023 11:00 AM Imani Temple of Temecula Church of God In Christ Christian Community Center 34590 Calle Arnaz Temecula, Ca 92592 Interment 02/09/2023 0:00 PM Riverside National Cemtery 22495 Van Buren Boulevard Riverside, Ca 92518