LaVaughn Ruth Urban, 78, of Ellsworth, KS, passed away on Friday, July 18, 2025 at Ellsworth County medical Center. LaVaughn was born May 28, 1947 in Ellsworth to Duane and Vivian (McGuire) Urban. She was the first of their eight children. LaVaughn grew up in Sylvan Grove, KS. She learned the value of hard work on the farm alongside her parents and siblings tilling and planting the fields and taking care of the livestock. After graduating from Sylvan Grove High School in 1965, she moved to Wichita, KS and stayed with family. There she earned a degree in accounting from Wichita Business College in 1966.
LaVaughn married Lee Emerson on May 1, 1966 and made their home in Wichita. Since Lee was in the National Guard, he was soon transferred to Texas. Their son Lance Aaron was born on November 24, 1969 in Killeen, TX. Unfortunately, the marriage didn’t last. After moving back to Kansas, LaVaughn met and married Charles Hills on April 20, 1973 and became stepmother to his two children Charla and Chris. They lived in Wichita and owned and operated a furniture store for a number of years before it was destroyed in a fire. This marriage ended also.
LaVaughn moved to Goddard, KS where she finished raising Lance as a single mother. She worked for a number of businesses in the Wichita area as an accountant throughout her life. She also had other jobs outside of those. She became certified as a massage therapist and kinesiologist. LaVaughn loved meeting new people. No one was a stranger to her and she wanted to help them in any way she could. And she did help many people and changed their lives through her energy work. LaVaughn was always open to new possibilities in life. She gave marriage one last try when she married Leon Vickers on September 23, 1995 and moved back to Wichita. This marriage was not to be either. In 2011, LaVaughn moved to Lucas and then her remaining years from 2017, she was a resident at the Good Samaritan Nursing Village in Ellsworth.
LaVaughn was preceded in death by her son Lance; her father; sister Mary Berry; brother-in-law George Berry; and brother Duane. Surviving family include her grandchildren, Shelbie Emerson of Wichita and Timothy Emerson of Fort Myers, FL; mother; sisters, Carol Soto (Pete) of Visalia, CA, Mildred Zurenda of Clearwater, FL, JoAnn Frederking (Lester) of Beaumont, KS; brothers, David Urban (Candi) and Richard Urban (Connie) of Lucas, KS; and a great many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 16, 2025 at Lucas Community Church with a luncheon following. Graveside services will be held at the Sylvan Grove Cemetery after lunch.
Memorials may be made to the Lucas Community Church or Good Samaritan Nursing Village, Ellsworth, c/o, Parsons Funeral Home, PO Box 45, Ellsworth, KS 67439.
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