HER JOURNEY

"My flesh and my heart failed: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever."-PSALM 73:26

We celebrate the life of Mrs. Miriam Virginia Relf Vaughan who transitioned peacefully on January 16, 2025. Miriam was welcomed to the world on February 13, 1935, by Elijah and Virginia Relf.  She was the fourteenth of seventeen children. All except her brother and three sisters have preceded her in glory. She lived an amazingly fulfilling life of 89 years, during which she touched many lives with her boundless energy, love, kindness, and generosity. 

Miriam was saved and loved the Lord at a very early age. She attended Sutter Street Church of Christ Holiness in her youth. She remained a faithful member of the Church of Christ Holiness for 89 years. 

 She received an early education at Trinity Lutheran School and Alabama Laboratory High School. After earning a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Alabama State University  (formally Alabama State College), she furthered her passion for teaching by obtaining a Master of Arts in Teaching from National Lewis University. In her professional life, Miriam was a highly respected and talented educator. Miriam loved learning and was passionate about education. With a career spanning over 35 years, Miriam dedicated herself to the cause of elementary education, being a lifelong learner, and positively influencing numerous young minds.

Miriam was a beacon of faith, and her unwavering belief and trust in Jesus Christ were evident in every aspect of her life. She was a lifelong learner and an avid reader, always in pursuit of knowledge, and she taught valuable life lessons, not only in her professional capacity but also in her personal life. She firmly believed in the value of love, service, honor, worship, and accepting Jesus as their personal savior.

Beyond her professional commitments, Miriam was a pillar of her community. Her faith drove her to serve and share her wisdom and love of the Lord with others. Her works, commitment, and faithfulness to The Church of  Christ  Holiness: Second Temple Church (Chicago, Il.-1967-1990) and finally Emmanuel Chapel (Hampton, Va.-1990-2025) have shown in various loving ways. She worked faithfully with the Holiness Young People Union (H.Y.P.U), faithfully taught Sunday School,  passionately leading the children's choir,  taught Vacation Bible School, Superintendent of Sunday School, member of the Trustee Board, member of the Decconess board, member of the Missionary Board, president and then chairperson of the United Christian Women's Ministries-U.C.W.M (formally the Christian Women Willing Workers-C.W.W.W), the development of The Foundation Guidance for The National Family Ministry, frequently attended Local, District, Diocease, and National Conventions, in charge of The Pastor's Aide, created beautiful bulletin boards for the church and participated in numerous (too many to name) church functions and activities.

Miriam also loved working in her yard. She loved flowers and often planted them in the spring, summer and fall. She was a very good cook, even though she was not that fond of cooking. She believed in nutritious homemade meals. She was famous for her lima beans, bean soups, and baked chicken wings. Miriam also loved working out at the Y.M.C.A. with the senior fitness class, birthday parties, traveling, shopping, football, watching and talking about Dancing With The Stars, what the stars were wearing at award shows, reading and studying the Bible, and talking about her granddaughters.

All except her brother and three sisters have preceded her in glory. Miriam was proceeded in glory by her parents Elijah and Virginia Relf; her loving husband of 44 years Clyde W. Vaughan; older brother Daniel B. Relf; her sisters, Mary L . Stevens, Ethel Lee Adams, Dorothy Bunson, Eddie Mae Pollard, Malissa J. Ward. Miriam will be lovingly remembered by her loving daughter, LaJoya J. (Edward)Lewis, Homewood, IL; granddaughters, Lindsay Washington, Olympia Fields, IL, Corinne Washington, Jacksonville, FL, Kirstin Washington, Los Angeles, CA; sisters, Bertha L. Relf, Evelyn R. (Howard) Davis, Montgomery, AL, Grace (Melvin) Glover, Palmdale, CA; one brother, Julian E. (Dorothy) Relf, Sr., Decatur, GA., and a host of nieces, great nieces, great great nieces, nephews, great nephews, great great nephews, cousins, god-daughters, and friends. 

 As we remember Miriam, we celebrate a life lived with purpose, love, and most of all her faith. Her legacy, being a dedicated follower of Christ, spreading love, and the importance of education, will continue to inspire generations to come.

"Only a moment you stayed, but what an imprint your footprints have left on our hearts"-Dorothy Ferguson

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