Charlotte Cone Vaughter's Obituary
Charlotte lived a full and loving 86 years. She was born Charlotte Mae Cone on October 8, 1939, and departed this life as Charlotte Cone Vaughter on February 26, 2026.
She is survived by The Vaughter Daughters—Vanessa Vaughter and husband, Rev. Woody Weilage; Shauna Vaughter and fiancé Travis Golding; and Crishana Vaughter Briney and husband, Patrick Briney—as well as grandson Trey Langley and wife, Megan; granddaughter Samantha Mendez, husband, Bentley, and their soon-to-arrive daughter, Daisy. Charlotte is also survived by her sister, JoAnna Shipe, brother Scott Sadler; adored nieces, nephews, and many extended family members and dear friends. She was preceded in death by the love of her life, Samuel H. Vaughter Jr., and her sister Judy Johnson.
Charlotte grew up in Ft. Worth, attended Broadway Baptist Church, and graduated from Arlington Heights High School. She completed her first year of college at Lindenwood College then transferred to Texas Tech. It was there that she
earned her “MRS degree,” marrying Sam on June 16, 1962. From their first home
in Abilene to Irving, and then Dallas, they began building their family. In Lake
Highlands, she managed a bustling home with three young girls under the age of six while Sam traveled for work.
During Sam’s time at JCPenney, he met Jack Saffle, who, along with his wife,
Carolyn, became lifelong friends. For more than 60 years, the two families lived life
side by side—sharing meals, OB appointments during pregnancies with Vanessa and D’Anna, softball games, and cherished trips to the “Vaughter’s Cliff House,” a.k.a. “the Cabin” in Southfork, Colorado. Fittingly, Carolyn was the final person to send Charlotte on her way to heaven.
Thanks to this cherished friendship, the Vaughters joined White Rock United Methodist Church in 1968. WRUMC quickly became the heart of their faith community and social life—through the 2x2 Sunday School class, parties, Mother’s Day Out, softball, Meals on Wheels, transporting older members to worship, Advent workshops, and youth choir tours. To the Vaughter Daughters, the 2x2 members became surrogate parents and a life-sustaining support group, surrounding the family with love from childhood through adulthood, through celebrations and losses alike.
As her daughters grew, Charlotte continued to serve others—participating in a neighborhood produce co-op, styling hair for women at C.C. Young, and serving as a dedicated Girl Scout Cookie Mom. She was a constant presence at her girls’ activities, from band concerts and halftime shows to church softball games and choir performances, and she delighted in creating indoor scavenger hunts for birthday parties.
Professionally, Charlotte used her strong organizational skills in roles at the campaign office of Rep. John Bryant and later at Three Fountains Retirement Community—lovingly nicknamed The Funny Farm by Sam. The arrival of grandchildren brought a notable shift in priorities, focusing every available moment on them and their activities such as Little League, softball, and band events. Honoring a promise she made to Sam, Charlotte remained active and engaged in life. A devoted group of WRUMC friends formed The Journey Group, which continues to meet monthly. She played Hand and Foot weekly with neighbor friends, traveled with the KBGs (Know Betty Group), and kept close family connections—riding the Estrogen Express to Lampe each spring, sending birthday cards and texts to cousins, nieces, nephews, and their children (including many she’d never met), and hosting the Odell December 26th gathering every year.
Charlotte loved coffee, margaritas, playing games, and laughter. She brought joy, humor, and connection wherever she went. She is now joyfully reunited with her beloved Sam. She will be missed more deeply than words can express.
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