Lonnie Vaughn

Little Lonnie (along with other children in the South Street area) learned many Christian values during Vacation Bible held in a little yellow building in Taylor’s park. One of the songs learned was “He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands.” Whenever we sang this song we could envision the earth, sitting in the palms of the Lord’s hand. One day, during this time frame, I walked into the Vaughn’s house and there on the wall was a photographic portrait of the oldest of the Vaughn boys, “Lonnie” or as he was better known during that time, “Little Lonnie.” In this portrait, he was wearing the “jungle fatigues” of the U.S. Marine Corps. He was turned sideways with his hand extended, palm up. In the palm of his hand was a tiny version of himself, looking up at the big “Little Lonnie.” The tiny Lonnie was also dressed up in “jungle fatigues.”Of course, being a little tyke, I was fascinated by seeing Lonnie in his uniform. I’d been vaguely aware that he had been drafted into the Army and serving in “Nam.” But I couldn’t wrap my young mind around the vision of the little, “Little Lonnie,” standing in big “Little Lonnie’s” hand. The portrait was surrealistic and haunting. Mind you, this was before “photo shop.”That’s how I remember “Little Lonnie.” He was one of the coolest cats in Cuthbert, not to mention that he was quite a handsome chap, as well. A tall, strong guy with twinkling green or grey eyes; which color they appeared at any given time, depended upon the mood he was in or at what angle the light hit them.Today, I learned that we’d lost this coolest of cats, but I’m confident that our loss is God’s gain.The Vietnam War Memorial is inscribed with the 58,286 names of the men and women who died or went missing in action in “Nam, but not all of that war’s heroes died in that foreign land. Not all of that war’s heroes are counted among that 58,286 on “the wall.” Some came home and experienced the pain of rejection by the very people that they were told they were fighting for. Some struggled to survive in a jungle that waited for them right here at “home.” Where is their wall?When I think of Lonnie, I’ll always think of that magical portrait that hung on the wall of his home, but I’ll also envision a NEW picture. In this one, “Little Lonnie” is no longer standing in his own hands. In this one he’s standing in the hands of the Man who has the WHOLE WORLD IN HIS HANDS. Thank you for your service Lonnie Vaughn! He leaves to cherish his memories: two daughters, Turkeisa (Delton) Rushin (Albany, GA), Jasmine Fuller (Augusta, GA); three sons, Lonnie DeRon (Tisha) Vaughn, Chelsea James Vaughn, Lanell (Ayanna) Vaughn (Stone Mountain, GA); two brothers, Wallace L. (Theresa) Vaughn (Cuthbert, GA), Tracy (Ann) General (Clearwater, FL), six sisters, Mary V. (Eddie) Johnson (Savannah, GA); Shirley (Willie) Starling (Omaha, NE); Deliphine Vines, Valarie V. Walton, Eva M. (Ronnie) Hudson, (all of Cuthbert, GA); Grace (Donald) General (Columbus, GA); three aunts, Lottie Merritt-Lewis, Eva J. Griffin and Jimmie Pack; one uncle, William Vaughn, 15 grandchildren, a special friend, Hazel Forrester; a forever friend, Mary Vaughn, several nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of friends.