FRANKLIN, Va. — Johnny Matthew Vaughan, 77, of Franklin, Virginia, transitioned on Dec. 22, 2018, at Courtland Health & Rehabilitation Center in Courtland, Virginia.

He was born on Jan. 12, 1941, to the late James R. and Helen Jenkins Vaughan. He was also preceded in death by his sister, Helen Purvis, whom he affectionately called “Miss Helen.”

After graduating from Hayden High School in 1961, he attended Norfolk State University on a football scholarship. Johnny then migrated to Hartford, Connecticut, where he worked as a carpenter for many years and became the first African-American unionized carpenter in Hartford.

In the ’80s he followed his entrepreneurial calling and started his own company, Johnny’s Remodeling, followed by Capitol Insulation and Capitol Contractors. From there he purchased Capitol Plaza, and ran the very popular Capital Hall Banquet Facility and Mr. J’s nightclub.

As a young man, Johnny never tired of fishing, traveling and rehab building projects. And once retired, developed a love of playing bingo, pokeno and meeting friends for coffee.

As a husband, father, brother, grandfather and uncle, Johnny is survived by his wife, Marcia Creed Vaughan of Hartford; two children, Nina Pollack (Earl) of Enterprise, Alabama, and Jerry M. Vaughan (Lisa) of Charlotte, North Carolina; one stepdaughter, Tanisha Creed of Chicago, Illinois; three grandchildren, Ashley Vaughan of Atlanta, Georgia; Edward Pollack of Arlington, Virginia; and Ethan M. Vaughan of Charlotte; sister, Shirley Vaughan of Smithfield, Virginia; brothers, James Vaughan and Bobby Vaughan of Franklin; Joseph Vaughan of Wappingers Falls, New York; George T. Vaughan (Vernice) of Trenton, New Jersey; Makalani Dingane (formerly known as Arthur Lee Vaughan) of Hampton, Georgia.; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and family friends.

The family is especially grateful and extends a thank-you to nieces, Theressa Purvis, Keisha Purvis Bailey and Evon Robertson; caregiver and family friend, Jackie Walton; staff at Courtland Health & Rehabilitation Center; and Heartland Hospice of Virginia Beach.

The memorial service will be on Saturday, Jan. 26, in the Main Event, 110 N. Main St., Franklin, from 1 to 4 p.m.

The family is being assisted by Wm. M. Johnson & Sons Funeral Home Inc., 224 S. Main St.

Please share your condolences with the family at wmjohnsonandsons.com.