Person Page 2,274

Catherine Watts ("Cathy") Stewart¹

Parents

Biography

Birth	6 March 1928	Catherine Watts ("Cathy") Stewart was born on 6 March 1928 in Shiloh, Iredell, North Carolina, United StatesBGO.
Residence	1930	She lived StreetAddress: no 10 State Highway; Age: 4; MaritalStatus: Single; RelationToHead: Daughter in Shiloh, Iredell, North Carolina, United StatesBGO, in 1930.2
1930 Federal Census	18 April 1930	She appeared in the 1930 federal census on 18 April 1930 at N 10 State HwyBG in Shiloh, Iredell, North Carolina, United StatesBGO,
Residence	1935	She lived in 1935.3
Residence	1940	She lived in Catawba, North Carolina, United StatesBGO, in 1940. Age: 12; AttendedSchool: Yes; EnumerationDistrict: 18-5C; GradeCompleted: Elementary school, 6th grade; MaritalStatus: Single; RelationToHead: Daughter3
1940 Federal Census	14 April 1940	She appeared in the 1940 federal census on 14 April 1940 in Catawba, North Carolina, United StatesBGO.
Residence	1948	She lived Age: 20 in Greensboro, Guilford, North Carolina, United StatesBGO, in 1948.4
Residence	1949	She lived Age: 20 in Greensboro, Guilford, North Carolina, United StatesBGO, in 1949.1
Anecdote	29 August 1952	Sailed on S. S. Exeter bound for Alexandria 14 Sep 1952
Marriage	30 July 1953	Dr. Silas Max Vaughn and she were married on 30 July 1953 in Cairo, Al Qahirah, EgyptBGO. St. Andrews Presbyterian Church5
Name	30 July 1953	As of 30 July 1953, Catherine Watts ("Cathy") Stewart was also known as Catherine ("Cathy") Vaughn.
Residence	from 1998 to 2014	She lived at 141 Holston LnBG in Montreat, North Carolina, United StatesBGO, from 1998 to 2014.
Death	22 July 2016	She died on 22 July 2016 at age 88 at Parker Ridge Assisted LivingBG in Blue Hill, Hancock, Maine, United StatesBGO. EPSON MFP image
Obituary	23 July 2016	Her Obituary on 23 July 2016. Montreat - Catherine Stewart Vaughn, of Montreat died peacefully following an extended illness on July 22, 2016 at Parker Ridge Assisted Living in Blue Hill, Maine. A native of Iredell County, she was born March 6, 1928 to David Little and Berta Mae Travis Stewart. She loved learning, achieved scholarly accomplishments and pursued opportunities uncommon for a woman of her generation. Following high school graduation as valedictorian, she graduated Phi Beta Kappa from the Women's College of N.C. (today UNC-G), and later served as president of the alumni/ae council and as an alumna trustee. After teaching high school English for three years, she received a two-year Fulbright Fellowship at the American University of Cairo. She met her lifelong love, Silas Max Vaughn, on the first night on the ship to Egypt. They married a year later in Cairo, and they remained devoted partners until his passing almost 62 years later. Upon returning to the U.S., Catherine supported Si in his career of college administration. Following appointments at Southwestern, St. Andrews, and UNC-C, they moved to Montreat in 1972 when Si became president of "The College" (as they called it the rest of their lives). They always considered themselves a team, and Si insisted that they both be painted in his presidential portrait—and that he stand behind Cathy. She was the paradigmatic hostess and the speechwriter of many of Si's lectures, speeches, and sermons. In 1991, she received the College's Distinguished Service Award. She was a loyal and compassionate friend and was active in many civic groups and clubs. Cathy loved to travel and experience different cultures. She explored every continent except Antarctica and started her own travel company so that she could lead tours with her many friends. After Si's retirement, the two of them volunteered for lengthy periods in the Ukraine, Kenya, Korea, and Costa Rica. They especially loved Costa Rica and spent more than 20 winters there. Most importantly, Catherine was a Christian and looked forward to the resurrection to come and being reunited with her beloved Si. She was a faithful member of the Presbyterian Church (USA): an ordained elder, a long-time member of the Presbytery of WNC Committee on Ministry, and an elected commissioner to the 1997 General Assembly. Catherine received honorary life memberships in the Women of the Church (1976) and Presbyterian Women (1988). She held many leadership positions in these organizations including chair/president at each level—local, presbytery, synod, general assembly and ecumenical. She participated in the Presbyterian Women Birthday Offering for more than 60 years and published a book on their history. Cathy loved her family more than anything else in this world. She was a passionate advocate for "her boys," and she treasured opportunities to visit and to care for grandchildren. When Si and Cathy's health declined in 2014, she agreed to move to Maine to be near her youngest grandchildren. They had the joy and privilege of spending almost two and half years with her and being able to care for her as dementia slowly compromised her mind and body. Up until the end, she greeted her family with smiles, kisses, and hugs. Catherine is survived by one sister: Carrie Stewart Beard of Mooresville, NC and her husband Robert; two sons: R. Stewart Vaughn of Tamassee, SC and his wife Joyce; Andrew G. Vaughn of Deer Isle, ME and his wife Amy; five grandchildren: Christopher of Austin, TX; Matthew of Greenville, SC and his wife Shelly; Isaac, Orly, and Avital Catherine of Deer Isle, ME; and two great grandchildren, Annibelle and Noah. She was predeceased by her parents, her husband and nine siblings: Irene Jarman, Walter Lee Stewart, Letha Morrison, Wilma Morrison, J. V. Stewart, Hilda Button, Grady Stewart, Martha Hass, and James Stewart. May her memory be a blessing. The family plans a memorial service in Blue Hill, ME in the coming week. They will hold another memorial service in Montreat in September. Expressions of sympathy may be sent to Andy and Amy Vaughn, 8 Sally Cove Lane, Little Deer Isle, ME 04650 and/or Stewart and Joyce Vaughn, 233 Jumping Branch Rd., Tamassee, SC 29686. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial gifts be made to the Women of the Church Birthday Offering, Montreat Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 577, Montreat, NC 28757; to the Vaughn Scholarship Fund at Montreat College, PO Box 1267, Montreat, NC 28757; or to the charity of one's choice .

Citations

1. [S973] Ancestry.com, U.S., School Yearbooks, 1900-1990, "U.S., School Yearbooks, 1880-2012"; Year: 1949
2. [S7064] Ancestry.com, 1930 United States Federal Census, Year: 1930; Census Place: Shiloh, Iredell, North Carolina; Roll: 1700; Page: 7B; Enumeration District: 0026; Image: 603.0; FHL microfilm: 2341434
3. [S6805] Ancestry.com, 1940 United States Federal Census, Year: 1940; Census Place: Catawba, Catawba, North Carolina; Roll: m-t0627-02886; Page: 1A; Enumeration District: 18-5C
4. [S973] Ancestry.com, U.S., School Yearbooks, 1900-1990, "U.S., School Yearbooks, 1880-2012"; Year: 1948
5. [S1040] Vaughn Family Tree, Catherine Watts Stewart