Sarah Lee (Love) Vaughn

Sarah Lee Love Vaughn, 85, passed away on Tuesday, July 18, 2023, in Atlanta, Georgia. Sarah was known for her booming laughter, her infectious smile, her sense of humor, her story-telling abilities, and her love for dancing and music, especially jazz. She had been thriving in her relatively new home at Heartis, a senior living residence in Buckhead, but an accidental fall tragically caused a Traumatic Brain Injury and she passed away peacefully surrounded by love a few days later.

Born in Mendes, GA on March 12, 1938, in her grandparents’ farmhouse, Sarah was the second oldest child of Jack Mendes Love, Sr and Mildred Lucille Yeomans Love and sister to Quenton “Squink” Derell Love, Jack Mendes Love Jr and Jimmy Mendes Love. After the Loves moved from Mendes they lived in Eden, Tybee Island and in various neighborhoods in Savannah, GA.

Sarah graduated from Savannah High School in 1956 and pursued her love of learning by attending Georgia Teachers College (Georgia Southern University) and began teaching school before graduation. Throughout her 30 years of teaching history for Chatham County Public Schools she taught at Johnson HS, Beach HS, Savannah HS, Richard Arnold JHS, Bartlett JHS and Romana Riley Elementary School. By many accounts she was a much beloved teacher who left a lifelong impact on countless students. After she retired from Chatham County Public Schools, she was asked to create the education program for the Tidelands Health Adolescent Residential Treatment Center in Bloomingdale, GA. Sarah single-handedly created the curriculum and procured the supplies on a very limited budget to teach teens with a wide range of prior grade levels in a single, one-room classroom setting. Sarah ran this program and taught all subjects for 15 years before federal budget cuts ended the program. She considered that part of her career to be exceptionally fulfilling.

In 1970, Mr. Pinkie Masters introduced Sarah Lee Love to Billy K Vaughn from Thomastown, MS at the original Pinkie Masters Bar in Savannah, GA. Weeks later they were married before he returned to Vietnam as a medic for the Army. While Billy K was completing his service in the Army, Sarah raised their first baby while continuing to teach.

In addition to the teenagers Sarah influenced in her role as a teacher for 45 years, she directly mentored, encouraged, and advised countless adults through her participation and leadership in the Al-Anon family group. For many she was a trusted confidant and sponsor to call during difficult times. 

Sarah Love Vaughn is survived by her son, Billy K Vaughn, Jr.; her daughter Jackie (Ruth Meyer) Vaughn; her brother Jack (Candy) Love, Jr.; and many cousins, nephews and nieces.

A viewing will be held at Brannen Family Funeral Services in Glennville, GA on Saturday, July 22, 2023, at 11:00 AM and funeral services will be held at the same location at 1:00 PM. Internment will take place at Love’s Chapel in Glennville, GA, with a fellowship provided by the members of Love’s Chapel afterward.

Sarah loved flowers and she also loved supporting teenagers recovering from drug and alcohol abuse. Flowers can be sent to Brannen Family Funeral Services in Glennville, GA or donations made to the Mustard Tree Foundation in her name: https://mustardtreefoundation.org/donate/

Care and Services are entrusted to Brannen Family Funeral Services, Glennville, Georgia. “Our Family Serving Your Family”