Betty M. Vaughan

Our beloved mom and mamaw, Betty M. Vaughan, danced her way into heaven on October 17, 2025.Born on April 6, 1943, in Sparkman, Arkansas, to the late Frank and Sadie Holmes Young, Betty grew up in Bearden, where she graduated from Bearden High School in 1961 and attended Bearden Assembly of God Church.

Her first job was at the Sherry Queen in Bearden — and as fate would have it, that's where she met the love of her life, Russell Vaughan. The two married on October 6, 1963, and soon moved to Camden to start their family. Together they raised three children and built a life full of love, laughter, and plenty of family gatherings (Betty never attended a family get-together she didn't enjoy). She adored her many nieces and nephews, and the family camping trips with aunts, uncles, and cousins were among her happiest memories.  After settling in Camden, Betty became a member of First Baptist Church and, later in life, she became an active member of Fellowship Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Over the years, she worked in the Ouachita County Collector's Office, then at AP&L, where she eventually retired. In 1999, she proudly earned her degree from SAU Tech, proving it's never too late to achieve a goal. In recognition of her academic excellence, Betty was inducted into the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. In 2002, she was elected as Ouachita County Treasurer and served from 2003 until her retirement in 2012. Retirement didn't last long — just six weeks, in fact — before she decided she'd had enough "rest" and went to work at Farmers Bank & Trust. Her role as a teller and later as a greeter was a perfect fit for someone who loved visiting people as much as Betty did. She was also an active member of the Business and Professional Women's Organization and took great joy in helping with the annual Barn Sale. Her hard work and community spirit were recognized when she was honored as the B&PW Woman of the Year.

Betty's favorite pastime from childhood to her later years was dancing — and she could hold her own on any dance floor. She and her friends made regular trips to country dances in El Dorado, Arkadelphia, and even Bastrop, Louisiana. Her greatest joy, however, was her family. Betty never missed a chance to cheer on her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren — whether it was at a ballgame, a pig show, or any event that gave her an excuse to brag on them a little. Their visits and laughter filled her heart.

Betty was preceded in death by her parents; her husband of 44 years, Russell Vaughan; her brother, Jerry Lee Young; her grandson, Brooks Michael Vaughan; and several beloved in-laws, aunts, uncles, and cousins.

She is survived by her children: Michael E. Vaughan (Amy) of Sheridan, Jimmy Vaughan (Melissa) of Camden, and Melinda "Missy" Chambers (Wayland) of Camden; her grandchildren: Jonathan Chambers (Jennifer) of Camden, Michaela Venable (Mark) of Texarkana, Bre Chambers of El Dorado, Aaron Dorflinger (Maegan) of Camden, Dustin Vaughan (Nicole) of Bearden, and Delaney Fry (Marshall) of Sheridan; and her great-grandchildren: Carson Chambers of El Dorado, Jon Russell and Jorgia Chambers of Camden, Sawyer and Sadie Vaughan of Bearden, Mackenzie Venable of Texarkana, and Jaxson, Chase, and Alleigh Dorflinger of Camden.

Pallbearers will be Mike Vaughan, Wayland Chambers, Jonathan Chambers, Dustin Vaughan, Carson Chambers, Jon Russell Chambers, Sawyer Vaughan, and Aaron Dorflinger.

Memorials may be made to Fellowship Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 478 Ouachita 54, Camden, AR 71701.

Betty's legacy of laughter, loyalty, and love will live on through every story told, every dance floor visited, and every smile she inspired.

Visitation will be from 5:00-8:00 PM Monday, October 20, 2025, at Proctor Funeral Home. Funeral service will be 10:00 AM Tuesday, October 21, 2025, at Proctor Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will be in Moss Cemetery, Bearden, AR.