Doris Lean Vaughan

Dot (as she was affectionately called by close friends and family) was daughter to Doris May and James Baker was born on September 18, 1938 in Suffolk Virginia. On Monday, September 23, 2024 she slipped quietly away into eternal rest at Virtua Hospital in Mt. Holly, NJ.

Dot was a hardworking, loving and caring woman who loved life and people. Being the oldest of 10, nurturing came easy to her which would be one of her most special traits that carried her the rest of her life. She would often recall carrying each one of her siblings on her hip. She graduated; Suffolk High School.

Dot was all about her family, close friends and laughter, which is what she loved most. She moved from Virginia at the age of 18 to find work in Bronx, NY, sending money home as she paved the way for her sisters to eventually follow her. 

Dot loved everything about being dainty. From the time of her teenage years well into her adulthood she never left for church or any special function without her perfume and/or hand lotions with her make-up in tact, every hair in place and pearl necklace and earrings to match. Even days when she had nowhere to be, she still put on her smell good scents to use. 

Around 1962 Dot later moved(Upstate) toPoughkeepsie, NY married and had three children. She was a long-time member of Ebenezer Church for well over 30 years. She had a beautiful and strong alto voice and sang lead in the choir many a Sunday. Churches from all over surrounding cities and towns would request her to visit their church to bless them in song. She taught Sunday school classes and was a faithful worker for the Lord offering her services wherever there was a need..

Dot always had a smile and a quick humorous response for anyone who tried to challenge her wit and when she laughed it was so contagious you couldn't help but laugh with her. She enjoyed talking about the Lord and always remained teachable to hear and learn new things with sheer enthusiasm in Christ. Her favorite scripture was Psalms 23.

Some years back, Dot moved to Virginia to reside with her son (Keith Vaughan) and family.. She loved the newness of being back in the South after leaving at the age of age of 18. She learned her way around as best she could although she didn't like highway driving but she had no problem making her way to the nearest Walmart or Walgreens. (lol)

In July of 2020 Dot traveled to New Jersey for a change of pace. She resided two years with her daughter and son-in-law for 2 years. She eventually moved in with her beloved grandson Justin Neal, who willingly became her loving caretaker. 

Dot was a very special and unique woman to know her was to love her. She was a village mother in the neighborhood where she raised her children. Anyone in need of a hot meal or a place to lay their head, she opened up her home to provide comfort and shelter, even when times were hard for her financially. Dot was genuine and loyal and she treated everyone as if they were her children. She was admired and well respected. She touched the lives of all she encountered. She was truly a godsend, an angel, a phenomenal woman who strived to do what was pleasing to God and it reflected in the way she lived her life. 

There was no match to Dot's quick wit and sense of humor. She could light up any gathering with laughter which she did right up until her last day.

Dot retired from the State of Wassaic New York as a supervisor with 25 plus years under her belt. She was dedicated and compassionate. Dot was the kind of employee who never called out, rarely using her vacation time. Upon retiring she donated her unused vacation and sick time to fellow co-workers who ran out of time to due severe illnesses. 

Dot loved providing a comfortable home and spending quality time with her children, close friends and family. She enjoyed listening to music morning, noon and night. Dot was truly a survivor by many rights and a strong one at that. Her nieces and nephews often compared her mental strength to that of the Ford truck commercial, “FORD TOUGH”. This comparison always brought a smile to her face as even she recognized it as the truth. 

Dot’s loved ones that preceded her in death: mother, Doris Mae Baker; father, James Baker; Son, Wayne Vaughan; sisters, Vivian T. Middleton and Bertha Mae Milligan; brothers, Harlan Baker, Charles Anthony Baker, Wendale Baker, Leonard Cornell Baker and Larry Baker.

Left to cherish Dot’s memory are her daughter Gwendolyn V Bibb and son-in-law Wendall P Bibb, son Keith L Vaughan and daughter-in-law Kamala Vaughan, Sister Ellen Delores Lowe, Brother Michael Baker, Sister-in-law Venesta Baker, Brother-in-law Sam (Bob) Middleton, Grandchildren, Justin Wayne Vaughan Neal, Breyana Vaughan, Brenton Vaughan, Brycen Vaughan, Great Grandchildren, Shakiyah A. Neal, Junaya N. Neal, JaNorie’ Neal, Gabriel Bibb and a host of nieces and nephews. 

A celebration of life will be held 1:00pm, Saturday, October 12, 2024 in the Melvin J. Blowe Chapel of Crocker Funeral Home, Inc. Ms. Vaughan will be laid to rest at Carver Memorial Cemetery. Professional services with dignity have been entrusted to Crocker Funeral Home, Inc.