Juanita Vaughn

Juanita Catherine Vaughn, passed from this big wide world on September 11, 2016, surrounded by her family in North Kansas City, Missouri. Juanita was born July 6, 1955 in Kansas City, Missouri. Juanita often shared with family and friends that while she begin to shine so bright upon the world on July 06, 1955; July 11, 1955, soon became known as her "second" birthday, as a result of her birth announcement arriving to City Hall five days after her birth. Juanita "Poonie" Vaughn is the daughter of James Sr. and Annie Bell Caldwell. A lifelong resident of Kansas City, Missouri, Juanita attended East High School, located in the metropolitan area, where she later married her high school sweetheart Nodie Newton Jr. Juanita participated in volleyball while at East High School. Juanita later attained her high school diploma and later attended Donnelly College, in Kansas City, Kansas. She later began her legacy at Social Rehabilitation Services of Kansas, devoting countless years to improve the lives of local families, and children. Juanita later married Charles G. Vaughn whom preceded her in gaining his wings. Juanita was a member of Right Way Missionary Baptist Church, Kansas City, Missouri. She was committed to bringing joy to children, especially during the holidays. Juanita was a member of the Ararat Shine Temple, gifting nearly ten-thousand children over twenty-five years the opportunity to attend the Shriner's Circus. Juanita was a mother to every child that she came across; from those that came to spend the night to those that she met in passing. Her heart was always open to help. Above all she was a lifelong, tireless advocate for the youth. Poonie always gathered her children, nieces and nephews, and neighbors to enjoy "Zoo Day". She truly believed in walking the zoo to the back and taking the train to the front. She was preceded in death by her parents; James Caldwell Sr., Annie Bell Caldwell, her son Erik Sirron Newton, her husband, Charles G. Vaughn, a very close sister, Annie Bell Holt, her dear brother-in-laws Clarence Holt and Roy Jackson, a nephew LaMontz Caldwell, and a dear friend Roberta Allen. Mrs. Vaughn is survived by her brothers James Caldwell Jr (Lynell Caldwell) of Grandview, MO, Joseph Caldwell (Candie Caldwell) of Kansas City, KS; her sisters Gladys Jackson of Kansas City, KS, Sarah Lee Harris (Pastor Vernon Harris) of Kansas City, MO, Oretha Lane also of Kansas City, MO. Juanita was the mother to two sons Carl Chandler Newton (Lorie Newton) of North Kansas City, MO, Nodie Newton (Crystal Newton) of Raytown, MO, and one daughter Natalie Newton (Michael Rivers Sr.) of North Kansas City, MO. Juanita "Grandma" has ten grandchildren, Dominique Newton (Nicole Newton) of Dallas, TX, Taylor Maxwell-Thomas of Kansas City, MO. Nodie Newton IV *(Donesha Williams) of Kansas City, MO, Iana Newton of St. Louis, MO, Casey Catherine Newton of North Kansas City, MO, DeJean McQuillar of North Kansas City, MO, Cydney Newton of Kansas City, MO., Jordan McQuillar of North Kansas City, MO, S. Deon Blake Jr. of North Kansas City, MO, and Syann Blake of North Kansas City, MO; and a host of nieces and nephews, and many friends who loved her dearly.