Mary Vaughan Mitchell, 87, completed her earthly journey and went to be with the Lord on Jan. 14, 2006, following a lengthy period of declining health. Close by her side was her husband of more than 64 years, Thomas R. Mitchell Jr.Mary Vaughan was born in Shanghai, China, on Sept. 5, 1918. Her late parents, Dr. L.D. Patterson II and Annie McCoy Patterson, were Methodist missionaries to China. Both her brothers, Lorenzo Dow Patterson III and James McCoy Patterson, predeceased her. Mary Vaughan was a resident of Brevard for more than 50 years.Mary Vaughan was an honor graduate of Bessemer High School in Bessemer, Ala., where she met her future husband, Tom, when she was a high school junior. She attended Huntingdon College in Montgomery, Ala., where she served as president of the creative writing society, Chi Delta Phi. She also sang first soprano in the Huntingdon Glee Club and was the glee club's business manager. Upon graduation from Huntingdon in 1939, she received an A.B. in English and history, as well as her teacher's certificate.Mary Vaughan taught school in Waverly, Ala., from 1939-1941. Mary Vaughan and Tom were married in Birmingham, Ala., on July 8, 1941. While Tom was overseas during World War II, she lived in Florence, Ala., with her father, who was pastor of First Methodist Church there. Mary Vaughan was very active serving as hostess for the church and organizing a businesswomen's group plus rearing their first son, Tom.After World War II, she taught biology and genetics at Florence State Teachers' College (now the University of North Alabama) until the arrival of their son, Pat.A longtime member of First United Methodist Church in Brevard, she served faithfully in many ways and positions.In Transylvania County, Mary Vaughan was very active with youth and children's organizations. She served in many capacities, including as president of the Western Carolina Community Action Inc. and the Child Development Task Force.She is survived by her loving husband, Thomas R. Mitchell Jr.; two sons, Thomas R. Mitchell III and his wife, Susan, of Coronado, Calif., and John Patterson "Pat" Mitchell and his wife, Mona, of Charlotte, N.C.; two grandchildren, Thomas R. Mitchell IV and his wife, Dr. Amber Gove, of Durham, N.C., and Amy Lawrence Mitchell of Oakland, Calif.Mary Vaughan was the "matriarch" of the Patterson-Mitchell clan, which is a very close-knit family. Their biannual reunion last summer at Pisgah View Ranch was dedicated to Mary Vaughan and Tom as a way of expressing the family's respect and gratitude for all they have done to create such a strong sense of family unity.The family will hold visitation from 7-9 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 26, at Moore Funeral Home, 532 Country Club Road, Brevard, N.C. There will be a private inurnment at Pisgah Gardens. A memorial service to celebrate her life will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 28, at First United Methodist Church in Brevard.In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Mary Vaughan Mitchell's memory to the First United Methodist Church, 500 Broad St., Brevard, NC 28712.The family would like to give special thanks for the loving and thoughtful care given Mary Vaughan by Tore's Home, Park Ridge Hospital and Transylvania Hospice.Mary Vaughan Patterson Mitchell was a very special lady who touched many lives, and she truly will be missed.To sign the guest register online, please go to "Obituaries" at www.moore-fh.com.