Mattilou Fern Burnett Vaughan was born on April 3, 1927, to parents William H. "Dock" Burnett and Nellie B. Stricklin Burnett in Martins Mill, Texas.

She was the youngest of (10) children. Her older siblings were Millard Johnson, Obie Johnson, Bill Johnson, Glades Cantrell, Rubye Halbrook, Bob Johnson, Doris McWilliams, Nettie Halbert and Jeff Burnett.

Fern married George Thomas "Big Tommy" Vaughan of Farmersville, Texas on June 21, 1946. Early in their marriage Fern and Tommy lived in Farmersville but moved to Garland prior to 1950 were they lived for many years.

Fern and Tommy were active members at First Baptist Garland, later moved their membership to Orchard Hills Baptist, attended Good Shepard and currently are members of Freeman Heights Baptist Garland.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her siblings, her husband of 63 years, her youngest son Donald Richard Vaughan and many, many other relatives, and dear friends.

Surviving family members are daughter Glenda Davidson & husband John, son Tom Vaughan & wife Brenda, (9) grandchildren, (19) great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

Fern spent the first part of her married life as a dedicated Christian wife and then a loving mother to her family. When her widowed mother became gravely ill, she and Tommy built an addition on their home and Fern also became a caregiver, working and helping her mom recover to good health.

After her children were older, Fern worked as a quality control inspector at Texas Instruments and later as a small business co-owner of a ladies clothing store in Richardson, Texas.

Fern and Big Tommy retired and moved to private lake in Quitman, Texas. They bought a travel trailer and toured the US seeing many of the National Parks and enjoying their retirement.

When Big Tommy's health started to decline Fern and Tommy moved back to Garland and Fern once again embraced her role as primary caregiver to her husband up until the time of his death in 2008.

Fern was a dedicated wife, mother, Grandmomma and most importantly a strong woman of faith in the Lord Jesus. She lived life working hard, loving her family, loving, and caring for others.

She was loved by many, a great blessing to all who knew her and left a godly legacy as an example for others to follow.