Henry Earl Vaughan, 73, of Kelford succumbed to a long illness on Monday, January 12, 2009 at Roanoke-Chowan Hospital, Ahoskie.
Graveside services will be held at 2 p.m. on Thursday, January 15 in Cedarwood Cemetery, Roanoke Rapids, with Pastor Daniel Bran officiating.
Mr. Vaughan, a native of Halifax County, served in the U.S. Marine Corps. He was proficient in swimming and was a specialist in the martial arts with a black belt in judo and ju jitsu.
Mr. Vaughan received a diploma from Old Dominion University in Virginia for studies in labor law.
At one time, Mr. Vaughan owned and operated two retail bakeries in Portsmouth, Va.
During his tenure of many years as an executive board member in Richmond, Va. for the Bakery, Confectionary and Tobacco Workers Union, he was appointed as the business agent for the State of Virginia Union organization.
In the 1950’s and 1960’s, Mr. Vaughan was foremost in the civil rights movement. He continued to be active in community service and was the founder of the Innersearch Organization for Community improvement, assistance and enrichment. Mr. Vaughan and his organization were instrumental in the origination and development for city consolidation of Bertie County which would create the largest city in the state of North Carolina at completion.
In later years, Mr. Vaughan retired from residential contracting, development and real estate investment.
Survivors include his wife, Rebecca; two sons, Michael and Jamie; his sister, Virginia Bishop of Roanoke Rapids; his brothers, James Vaughan, Shelby Vaughan, Alan “Wayne” Vaughan, Ronnie Vincent, Bennie Rae Vincent and Larry Wade Vincent; and five grandchildren.
Wrenn, Clarke & Hagen Funeral Home, Roanoke Rapids, is handling the arrangements.