Paul (Buddy) James Vaught Jr. of Hayesville, NC, went to be with the Heavenly Father on
Wednesday, July 21, 2021. He was born in Rainbow Springs, Macon County to the late Paul
James Vaught Sr. and Geneva Gilliand Vaught. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in
death by his sister, Peggy Marlene Vaught.
Buddy was a graduate of Hayesville High School. He was a U.S. Army Veteran, serving in the
Korean War. Buddy received his Masters Degree and Education Specialist from Western
Carolina University. He also attended University of West Georgia and Young Harris College. The
majority of his 39 year career in education was at Peachtree Elementary; but he also taught at
New Hope Elementary and White Church Elementary in Murphy, NC.
Buddy had a passion for his community. He was an active volunteer and participant in
community service activities. He was a member of Truett Memorial Baptist Church in
Hayesville, NC, where he served as Treasurer for approximately 44 years. He was Mayor of
Hayesville for 24 years, and he served on the Hayesville Town Council for 14 years with a total
of 38 years of combined service. He was a member of the Hayesville Civitan Club, Clay County
Lions Club, he judged various clogging festivals nationwide, was a member of the Southwestern
Football Official Association, a board member of the Southwestern Senior Citizen Groups, and
various other organizations.
He enjoyed spending time with family, going to events for his grandchildren, and loved going to
sporting events such as NASCAR, football, and baseball. He loved kids and wanted to help them
all. He loved meeting people and he never met a stranger.
Buddy was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather, and is survived by his
sweet and lovely wife Joyce Icenhower Vaught, one daughter Teresa Magee and husband,
Patrick, of Acworth, GA, a son, Anthony Vaught of Hayesville, four grandchildren, Brandon
James Vaught, and wife Alexis Vaught of Winder, GA, Amanda Blake Vaught and Spencer
Vickery, of Gainesville, GA, Tristyn Paige Magee and Kiara Elise Magee of Acworth, GA, and
two great - grandchildren Rowen James Vaught, and Carter Anne Vickery.
A celebration of life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 24, 2021 at Truett Memorial
Baptist Church. Interment will be in the Hayesville Baptist Presbyterian Cemetery with military
graveside rites being conducted by the American Legion Post #96 Murphy, American Legion
Post #532 Hayesville, and VFW Post #6812, Hayesville, NC. Pallbearers will be Brandon
Vaught, Patrick Magee, David (Bugs) Hyatt, Bobby Hollifield, David Ray, Bobby Palmer,
Dennis Myers, David Yonce, Randy Barnett, and Darryl McClure. Honorary pallbearers will be
principals and teachers, Civitan and Lions Club members.
The family will receive friends from 12:00 - 2:00 Saturday afternoon at Truett Memorial Baptist
Church prior to the services.
In lieu of flowers, donations should be made in Buddy’s honor to Truett Baptist Church Building
Fund, 193 Church Street, Hayesville, NC 28904 or to the American Legion Post 532, P.O. Box
22, Hayesville, NC 28904. Please indicate it is in memory of Paul J. Vaught Jr.
Townson-Rose Funeral Home, Hayesville in charge of all arrangements.
You may send tributes to the family at
www.townson-rose.com
Sheridan Harley Dockery 
