Elizabeth ‘Liz’ Vaughn Northern departed this life peacefully on December 1, 2022, surrounded by her children.  She was born to Tommie and Mary Vaughn on February 22, 1943, in Wynne, Arkansas. When she was sixteen, she followed her older sister, to South Bend, Indiana where they lived with their Aunt Margaret. She enrolled in Central High School and completed her high school studies. She met and married her future husband, William Howard Northern; on August 11, 1962. She raised her family as members of St Paul Missionary Baptist Church, where she served on the Usher board.

Elizabeth retired after 30 years of serving her patients of St Joseph Hospital.  During her last year of working, she slipped on ice and broke her ankle; this prompted her to relocate to Memphis, TN where she could enjoy the mild weather and the company of two of her sisters, Almeater and Shirley. During the next 25 years after retiring, she worked at many part-time jobs and stayed busy serving the community.  She felt that it was never too late for her to learn new things and that she was a great asset to the employers that hired her.

Elizabeth was predeceased by her husband William and leaves her four children to cherish her memory. They include Deborah (Walter) Parker, Angela (Terry) Coleman, Marcia (Leo) Lillard, and William H. Northern, Jr. (fiancé April Hall). She had nine grandchildren DeShawn Parker (who predeceased her) Walter Parker, Jr., Shannon (JaCary) Dodd, Terrance Coleman, DeAndre’ Coleman, Adrien Coleman, Leo Lillard, Malcolm Lillard and Phillip Northern and seven great-grandchildren. Once her many great-grandchildren were born, she moved to Indianapolis where she could be a close part of their upbringing.

Elizabeth had a close relationship with her many siblings, Cora Almeater (Vaughn) Toler, Louise Washington, Jean Piolet, Marjorie Willis, Janice Richardson, and Robert (Josie) Willis, Tommie Vaughn Jr., Michael Vaughn, Calvin Vaughn, Dollie Mae Vaughn, and Thelma Vaughn.  Never far from her thoughts were those brothers and sisters who predeceased her, John Wesley Willis, Floretta Willis, and Shirley Brown.  Elizabeth enjoyed the company of her two sisters-in-love, Gloria Jean Jackson, and Shirley Campbell; they talked frequently and would take road trips down South.

Elizabeth was affectionately known as ‘Aunt Liz’ to her many nieces, nephews, and cousins. She was very active in their lives; known to be very willing to help with their children, offer a few dollars or words of encouragement. She was never far away if they needed to talk.  Many of her nieces and nephews (and their spouses) would say that they were Aunt Liz’s ‘favorite’! Elizabeth was a beloved member of the Northern/Williams Family Reunion clan; she had been truly adopted by her late husband’s cousins and their children.

Elizabeth made time for people-- she had friends that she had been close with for over 50 years --their number was in her address book, their birthday on her calendar, she saved the cards that they sent and remained a confidante. She once said that she and her close friend, Etta, could call each other at any time of the day, even at 1 in the morning if they couldn’t sleep! There were friends that she lost over the years, but they were never far from her heart. The love that Elizabeth showed and the lessons that she taught remain with us. She showed us how to be a loving mother (mother-in-law), granny, gg, auntie, sister, friend, co-worker, and neighbor. She will be missed by many, but she would want everyone to continue to be their best.

12/13/2022 JFC