Otila (Tila) Cordova Vaughan, was born on June 10, 1931.
She was predeceased by her parents, Pedro and Maria Cordova; and her brother, Peter Cordova.
Tila was born and raised in LaPryor, Texas. She graduated from LaPryor High School and the School of Nursing at the University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas.
She married William Y. Vaughan Jr. in 1955. She spent most of her married life in Daphne, Ala. until she recently moved to Birmingham due to illness and to be close to her children.
Tila and her husband were active members of Christ the King Catholic Church for almost 50 years and enjoyed Sunday mass and their coffee club with many of their friends.
She died Sept. 19, 2015 after a valiant battle with cancer while never complaining and believing Jesus was always with her, and He had His plan while often repeating Psalm 18:2 “my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge.”
After retiring from Thomas Hospital in Fairhope, Ala., she enjoyed volunteering as a “pink lady” at Daphne Medical Center.
She and her husband were members of the Baldwin Senior Travelers, which they enjoyed traveling to many places in the United States and Europe. Her favorite trips were cruising to many countries.
She loved her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and never tired of bragging about them. She loved her bridge friends and missed them terribly after moving away.
Tila is survived by her beloved husband of 59 years, William Y Vaughan Jr.; her children, Frances (Preston) Foy of Birmingham, Ala., William Y. Vaughan III (Beth) of Auburn, Ala. and Maria (John/Buddy) Vines of Birmingham. She has seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren; sister, Irene Stone of Oklahoma City, Okla.; brother, Gregorio (Sonny), Mary Helen Cordova of Eagle Pass, Texas; and sister, Maria Cordova of Granite Bay, Calif. She had numerous close relatives in Daphne and Spanish Fort, Ala., and many nieces, nephews and dear friends.
The funeral service will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 22 at 10 a.m. at St. Aloysius Church, 751 Academy Dr., Bessemer, AL. Graveside service will be for immediate family only.
Memorial donations in lieu of flowers may be made to Tila’s longtime charity, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memorial and Honor Gifts, P.O. Box 1000, Dept 142, Memphis, TN 38148-0142, or https://www.stjude.org/about-st-jude/faq/how-do-i-make-a-donation-in-honor-or-memory-of-someone.html.
