Jeryl Dean Yates Vaught

Jeryl Dean Yates Vaught, age 94, of Columbia, Mo., passed away Wednesday, January 7, 2015, in Columbia. She was born in Smithville Mo., December 31, 1920. Her parents. Ruth Dean Martin Yates and Edward Charles Yates raised her to appreciate family, friends and education. Jeryl attended elementary school in Smithville, Missouri, moved to Jefferson City as a young girl and graduated from Jefferson City High School and Jefferson City Junior College. Because teaching was her passion, she attended Central Missouri State Teachers College for one year and taught in country schools in Platte City and Smithville, Missouri for two years. In 1962 she completed her education degree at University of Missouri. While teaching, she met and fell in love with Richard Wayne Vaught. They married on June 13,1942, in Smithville Missouri. She was a 6th grade teacher at Russell Boulevard School in Columbia, retiring after 22 years and was beloved by her students. Her family was her life and she loved her church and community. Those who loved her and those she loved surrounded Jerry. She is survived by her children, Valerie Kent Brown, Julie Patterson Horton, David Richard Vaught and his wife Dawn and three grandchildren: Lisa Davis, Adam Horton, Rachel Horton and Ellen Marie Tucker and her husband Ryan Tucker. Funeral Services will be held on Monday, January 12, at 11 a.m., at the First Christian Church in Columbia. Lunch will follow at the Fellowship Hall with burial services will be at Memorial Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to the Coffman-Watson Group, First Christian Church.