Florence Elizabeth Rawley Vaughn Holmes died Saturday, July 31, 2021.
She was born Sept. 28, 1921 to the late James Brooks Rawley and Meachie Adelaide Kidd Rawley.
Florence grew up in Urbana, Middlesex County. She became a member of Lebanon Baptist Church, where she was baptized at an early age in Urbanna Creek as was the custom at that time.
Florence attended and graduated from Middlesex Training School in 1941. She received a scholarship to attend Hampton University the following year but because of a lack of funds she went to work at RCA Victor in New Jersey and worked there until the war ended.
Later Florence met and married Thomas Alvin Vaughn of Hartford, Conn. and remained married for 52 years and seven months. Thomas and Florence resided in Connecticut for 18 years afterwards moving back to her hometown in Virginia. Together Florence and Thomas built their house in Urbanna where they lived until Thomas died January 20, 1997.
After a year and a half of loneliness, Florence met and married Carroll L. Holmes of Saluda. She then became a member of Calvary Baptist Church. Carroll died Sept. 10, 2011 and Florence returned to Urbanna, where she lived out the rest of her life.
The memorial service is planned for 11 a.m. Aug. 14 at Calvary Baptist Church with the Rev. Paul S. Pleasants officiating.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Calvary Baptist Church Missionary Ministry.
