Lavaughn Fair

LaVaughn Raper Fair passed away after a short illness on Monday, August 26, 2024 at the age of 90 years old. LaVaughn was born on February 6, 1934 in Union County, Georgia. 

She is preceded in death by her parents, Arthur W. and Gertrude Thomas Raper; her husband Eugene Steven Fair; her brothers Hubert and Marvin Raper; her sister-in-law Martha Hensley Raper; her daughter-in-law Lisa Timpson Fair, and her grandson-in-law Andrew Ethridge.

She is survived by her brother, Hoyt Raper; her sister, Verniece “Tootsie” (Joe) Kilpatrick; her sisters-in-law Terry Raper Brown and Dorothy Oliver Raper; her son, Terry (Jill) Fair; her daughters Lisa F. Sledge and Jennifer F. (Maynard) Cain; her grandchildren Misty D. (TJPaulus) Creason, Nicole K. (Glenn) Avins, Joshua D. Kidd, Kristin F. (Chris) Seaton, Meagan L.Cain, Rachel F. (William) Fry, Ashley F. (Jack) Brittle, Kathryn E. Sanders, Caroline L. Sanders;her great-grandchildren Kyle and Matthew Kerchofer, and many special nieces and nephews.

LaVaughn and her husband Eugene (Gene) were married for 55 years and lived in Murphy most of their lives; together they ran Fair’s Grocery Store in the Hanging Dog community for over 25 years as well as Fair’s Rolling Store throughout Cherokee County. Their country store was a fixture for many in the area, and they made many wonderful friends and memories along the way. LaVaughn juggled many tasks during those years, including keeping the books, pumping gas, stocking shelves, and raising three kids all while always keeping her family and church at the forefront of everything she did. She was an incredible role model to all those around her. LaVaughn (Mom, Mamaw, or Sis to many of us) loved and was much loved by her family, and she made everyone who visited her feel like a rock star as she was always interested in what each person was doing and so excited for the visits. Every one of us figured they were her favorite, and we were all correct, as she loved each of us with all she had. She also loved her next-door neighbors in Sumter, S.C., Marion and Parham Cain, who treated her like their own mother, bringing her flowers and treats almost weekly. She adored her little dog Indy (who was maybe her favorite son) and her cat Princess and could be counted on to sneak food from her plate to feed Indy under the table when she thought no one could see. Dessert was her favorite part of any meal, and she would often rush through the prior courses (even when it was KFC -her favorite fast food!) to get to the good stuff. She had a legendary sweet tooth for Little Debbie products, Milky Way candy bars, Peppermint patties, and - well, you get the point! Her enthusiastic greetings and sly sense of humor will be missed intensely by her family and friends. Holidays and family gatherings won’t be the same without her, but we are grateful for the many wonderful times we had with her and we pledge to keep the fun going in her memory.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, August 31, 2024 at 2:00 p.m. in the Chapel of Cochran-McDaniel Funeral Home in Murphy, N.C., with the Reverend Hoyt Brown officiating.The family will meet with friends at the funeral home from 12 - 2:00 p.m. prior to the service.

Pallbearers will be her grandson-in-laws Glenn Avins, Jack Brittle, William Fry, Chris Seaton and her great-grandsons Matthew and Kyle Kerchofer. 

Prior to her passing, LaVaughn requested those who attended to wear bright, cheerful colors for this celebration of her life. Interment will immediately follow at Hanging Dog Baptist Church Cemetery in Murphy, N.C. In lieu of flowers,the family requests donations be made to the Hanging Dog Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, ℅Hanging Dog Baptist Church, P.O. Box 968, Murphy, NC 28906 Attn: Sandy Sneed, Treasurer. 

Cochran-McDaniel Funeral Home of Murphy is in charge of all arrangements.