Vaughn, Alton

Longtime Alabama pastor dies

Alton Vaughn, an Alabama Baptist pastor for more than 50 years, died Oct. 27. He was 82.

During his years as pastor, he served twice at Minvale Baptist Church, Fort Payne, and was there longer than any of his other pastorates.

“The church membership and facilities don’t even bear a resemblance to what was there when he was first called,” said Chris Murdock, pastor of Ruhama Baptist Church, Fort Payne. “They went from a cinderblock building on the corner to a new sanctuary, Sunday School rooms and a family life center.”

Younger pastors were drawn to Vaughn and he “impacted a lot of them over his years in ministry,” Murdock said. Vaughn, who retired from the pastorate at Minvale, also served as pastor of Ruhama; Central Baptist Church, Fort Payne (now closed); and Mount Zion Baptist Church, Collinsville.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 60 years, Doris; and grandson, Taylor Vaughn. He is survived by his wife, Melba; four children; nine grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. (TAB)