Norma Jean Vaughn (81) was born to John and Ruby Edwards on January 19, 1942, in Watonga, Oklahoma. The church was integral to the Edwards family, and like her other nine siblings, Norma was baptized at a young age at Ebenezer Apostolic Church in Madera.
As a young lady, Norma enjoyed shadowing her mother in the kitchen. She learned how to cook and bake, which became her signature pastime. Norma attended Pershing Elementary School and Thomas Jefferson Junior High School before graduating from Madera Union High School in 1960. Following graduation, she attended Fresno City College.
In 1962, Norma married James Earl Vaughn. To the union were born two children, Ronda Lynell and Terence Earl. Before moving back to Madera, Norma and James lived in several places, including Münchweiler, Germany; Portland, Oregon; and San Jose, California.
Norma started her career as a Madera Unified School District paraprofessional before being hired at Juvenile Hall. The kids there greatly respected “Miss Vaughn” for her sympathetic ear and voice of reason, and many of them credited her with changing their lives. She retired from Juvenile Hall in 2005 after twenty-five years of service.
Following her mother’s passing in 1992, Norma became the family matriarch. She upheld family traditions by hosting big family dinners at her home to celebrate birthdays and holidays. For each family gathering, Norma baked one of her unique desserts. She was known for her cobblers, 7-up cakes, chocolate chip cookies, apple crisps, and homemade dinner rolls. Norma was frequently the last to sit down and enjoy dinner because she wanted to ensure everyone was cared for and satisfied. She was selfless and genuinely concerned about how others were doing and feeling, which continued until she transitioned.
Norma was a natural nurturer and caregiver as a mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend. Even at a young age, she cared for her younger siblings, and later, when her father and brother needed around-the-clock care, she didn’t hesitate to put her needs second to theirs.
Norma is preceded in death by her parents; four brothers, Winton, Sanford, Willie, and Ruben Edwards; one sister, Loretta Edwards; three nephews, Will Lee Edwards, Arnold Ruben Edwards, Jr., and Braxton Armstrong; and two nieces, Frances Hopson and Helen Amanda Edwards.
She leaves to honor her memory, her husband and children; two sisters, Darlene Crowder of Phoenix, AZ, and Sandra Edwards of Madera; two brothers, Elvin Edwards (Tari) of Madera and Milton Edwards (Teresa) of Elk Grove, CA; five grandchildren, Sheena Vaughn of Fresno, CA; Anthony Logan (Madeline) of Fresno; Terence Vaughn (Bory) of Fresno; Johnathan Vaughn (Ashauni) of Fresno; and Ryan Logan (Shaneia) of Madera; fourteen great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces and nephews.
We will miss her humor and generosity. To know Norma was to love her. We will greatly miss her.
Graveside services will be held Friday, December 15th at 11 am. Arbor Vitae Cemetery 1301 Roberts Avenue, Madera, CA 93637
