Olivia Vaughan

Olivia Sims-Vaughan was born on April 5, 1940 in Chicago, IL. She was the youngest of three daughters born to Wade Hamilton and Mary Walker-Sims, who preceded her in death along with her oldest sister, Rosemary Sims-Robinson. She accepted Christ at an early age and attended Arnett AME Church in Chicago, IL.

She  graduated  from  Chicago  Vocational  High  School,  after  which,  she  became   employed  as a seamstress at Hart, Schaffner and Marx. She was a faithful worker for many years. Olivia had a diverse career history, working in various organizations such as: Control Rubber, Scott Aviation, Rest Wood Inn (also known as South Haven Rehabilitation Center), Licensed Foster Care Parent, for the State of Michigan, Countryside Nursing Home, and a senior volunteer for area agencies on aging. Because her passion was helping the elderly, her most significant role was in the health care industry.

Olivia’s hobbies and interests were reading the Bible, exercising, shopping, sewing, and spending time with her family. She was very active and involved in the community where she served as a faithful member of the Black History Leadership Society and the NAACP of Van Buren County.

On May 27, 1961, Olivia married the true love of her life, Henry Edward Vaughan, and they were blessed with one son and three daughters. She was blessed to have Henry by her side for 55 years. They reared their children with spirituality, patience, and humility. Olivia encouraged her children to believe in God and to walk by faith.

In 1972, Olivia and family relocated to South Haven, Michigan. The family joined Pentecostal Temple Church of God in Christ, under the leadership of the late Bishop Fred L. Cunningham. She was lead to Christ by the late Mother Gertherie Cunningham-Wright. Pentecostal Temple is where she began her walk and love for the ministry. She served in several ministries at her local church: the Pastor’s Aide Committee, Culinary Ministry, Prayer and Bible Band, Devotional Team, Mother’s Board, and the Pentecostal Temple Senior Choir. Mother Sims-Vaughan was also a Noon Day Prayer Warrior and an Evangelistic Missionary.

Mother Olivia Sims-Vaughan made her transition to be with the Lord on September 16, 2016 after a valiant battle with cancer. Her devotion to her family and her strong belief in God supported her in her struggle and ultimately gave her peace. She was a fun-loving woman of God, who spoke inspiring and encouraging words to everyone she encountered.  Her mission was not only to teach the gospel, but to live it every day of her life.  She often shared words of wisdom with her family.  She would say:

“Be sweet and keep the peace” “One way won’t always stay the same” “Feed them with a long handle spoon”

“This world is not my home; I’m just a stranger passing through.”

On her sunset, Olivia leaves to cherish her loving memory; husband, Henry Edward Vaughan; one son, Edward (Vanesta) Vaughan of Kentwood, MI; three daughters, Lenise (Jesse) Williams, of Kalamazoo, MI, Mary (James) Randolph of Tinton Falls, NJ, and Jovina Vaughan of South Haven, MI; a sister, Claudette (Robert) Hampton Oak Lawn, IL; grandchildren, Jason (Ashley), Olivia, Whitney, Martika and Jalen; seven great-grandchildren; a special cousin, Elaine (Charles) Davis of Chicago, IL, and a host of brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, foster children, god-children, nieces, nephews and friends.