Mary Elizabeth Vaughn, 78, of Longview, Texas, passed away peacefully on February 20, 2026, in Kilgore, Texas.

Mary was born on December 31, 1947, in Center, Texas, to the late Pauline Marks. She was raised in the San Augustine area and later made her home in Shelbyville, Texas, where she spent the majority of her life as a devoted homemaker. Mary was a member of Pleasant Hill Missionary Baptist Church in Huxley, where she rededicated her life to the Lord and was baptized in Toledo Bend Lake by Pastor Carter Olds.

In 2001, she moved to Longview, Texas, where she resided for the remainder of her life, surrounded by her daughter and family.

Mary had a special gift for cooking and took great pride in preparing meals from scratch. She was a devoted and loving mother and grandmother who always placed her family above herself. In her younger years, she enjoyed traveling and was known for her fun-loving personality. Above all, she treasured time spent with her family and especially enjoyed going out for Mexican food. She will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.

Mary is survived by her daughter, Christi Rankin of White Oak, Texas; her two granddaughters, Madison Rankin and Makenzie Rankin, both of White Oak, Texas; her brother, Joe Lawson and his wife, Carolyn, of Shelbyville, Texas; her niece, Debbie Terry and family of Longview, Texas; and her nephews, Mike Vickers and family of Midland, Texas; Vance Vickers and family of Milam, Texas; Joey Lawson and family of Shelbyville, Texas; and Matt Lawson and family of Lindale, Texas.

She was preceded in death by her mother, Pauline Marks; her sister and brother-in-law, Martha and Jimmy Vickers; her grandparents, Kramer and Daisy Bohannon; and her uncles, Buddy Bohannon, Ralph Bohannon, and George Glynn Bohannon.

A celebration of life memorial service will be held on Sunday, March 1, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. at White Oak Community Church in White Oak, Texas, with Pastor David Dusek officiating.

The family extends their sincere gratitude to the doctors and staff of Christus Good Shepherd Medical Center in Longview for the excellent care provided during her final two weeks, as well as to the staff of Arbor Grace Guest Care Center in Kilgore and the compassionate team at Heartsway Hospice for their kindness and support.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to the American Cancer Society in her memory, an organization that was especially meaningful to her.