Mrs. Vaughdean Hillin Letbetter passed from this life peacefully on Saturday morning, December 4, 2021, at the age of 91, after a courageous battle with pneumonia.
She was born April 11, 1930, in Richland Springs, Texas, the daughter of Gertrude Mae Maxcey Hillin and Randolph “Buck” O’Neil Hillin. She met Alva Quentin Letbetter from San Saba, Texas, and they married in 1946. They enjoyed 38 years of love, laughter, and family together until his death in 1985.
They had two daughters, Phyllis Ann and Donna Sue, and one son, Vaughn Ray. After many years of being a stay-at-home Mom, she attended San Jacinto College to obtain Business training. She began her Business Career at the age of 40.
“Deane,” as many fondly remember her, was a very independent woman, who was employed by Atlantic Richfield Refinery for 15 years before retiring to be a full-time caregiver to her beloved husband, “Alvie.” After his passing, she was employed by the Pasadena School District until her final retirement after 15 years.
Upon her retirement, she embarked on one of her most fulfilling adventures spanning almost three decades, being a “Granny” for her six grandchildren: Jason Vickrey, Pasadena, Texas; Deana (Frank) Vickrey Hilson, Missouri City, Texas; Corey (Janette) Freeland, Horseshoe Bay, Texas; Paige (Mark) Freeland Johnson, Katy, Texas; Daniel (Amanda) Letbetter, St. Peters, Missouri; Kristen Letbetter, Houston, Texas; and 10 great grandchildren.
Vaughdean dearly loved her retirement days attending many events (baseball, basketball, softball and volleyball games, Little League Baseball World Series, and Choir concerts), taking trips to Washington (Pennsylvania), Las Vegas, Nashville, Hollywood, Orlando, St. Louis, Baton Rouge, Lake Charles and along the way, gambling and “winning” at many casinos. She was a fiercely competitive player of dominoes, scrabble and all card games played with her family. She cherished all family celebrations, especially birthdays and holidays.
Her family will always remember her as a loving mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, friend and fellow Christian. To those she loved and to those who loved her, she will be in their hearts forever. Her lifelong gift to her family was her unyielding support, love, and devotion, which we will always be grateful.
Our beloved “Granny” had many caregivers who provided her support, comfort, and care. Her family wishes to sincerely express our gratitude to each of them. A special thank you to her health care aide, Rebecca Provost, and to her dear friend, Vernna Gibson.
Vaughdean was preceded in death by her parents, Gertrude and “Buck” Hillin; husband, Alva Letbetter; daughter, Donna Sue Letbetter Vickrey; sister, Peggy Joyce Hillin Henniger; brother, Mack Owen Hillin Sr.; brother-in-law, Cecil Lott; niece, April Camille Hillin; niece Jill Lott Denny; and great grandchild, Olivia Hilson.
She is survived by her loving family: her daughter, Phyllis, and her husband, Billy Freeland, Friendswood, Texas; her son-in-law, Jack Vickrey, Pasadena, Texas; her son, Vaughn Letbetter, and his wife, Cindy, Houston, Texas; one sister, Belva Maxcey Hillin Lott, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida; a brother-in-law, Calvin Henniger, Pasadena, Texas; and a sister-in-law, Lavenia Franklin Hillin, Paoli, Oklahoma. Survivors also include her nephew, Kelly Henniger, Pasadena, Texas; and her niece, Holly (Randy) Henniger Key, Pecos, Texas; her nephews: Johnny (Michelle) O’Neil Hillin, Pauls Valley, Oklahoma; and Mack (Beth) Owen Hillin Jr., Paoli, Oklahoma; her niece Lori (David) Dawn Hillin Driscoll, Paoli, Oklahoma; her nephew, Layne (Yvonne) Nelson Lott, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida; and a number of cousins.
A visitation will be held on Wednesday, December 15, 2021, from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Pasadena Funeral Home with the funeral beginning at 3 p.m. on Wednesday, December 15, 2021. Gravesite services will be held on Friday, December 17, 2021, at 1 p.m. at Richland Springs Texas Cemetery. Interment will follow gravesite services.
Honorary pallbearers will be Calvin Henniger, Vaughn Letbetter, Jack Vickrey, Billy Freeland, Jason Vickrey, Corey Freeland, and Daniel Letbetter.
Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, the First Christian Church in Richland Springs, Texas, or to a favorite charity.