Dr. Joy Vaughan, beloved mother, educator, author, and mentor, passed away leaving behind a legacy defined by resilience, purpose, and unwavering determination. Born on February 10, 1953, in Christ Church, Barbados, she was the cherished daughter of Hilton August and Thelma Vaughan.
A lifelong learner, Joy pursued her early studies in Barbados before attending Columbia University. Her commitment to education and personal growth ultimately led her to earn her doctorate from Nova University. Her academic journey was not only a personal triumph but also a foundation for the countless lives she would influence.
Joy married Eric Brown from Indiana, and through that union it brought her greatest joy—her son, Eric Hilton Vaughan Brown, who remained the center of her heart and her proudest accomplishment.
A gifted educator, Joy taught at Broward College where she inspired students with her insight, compassion, and belief in their potential. Joy collaborated with a team of sister broadcasters on a radio show “Sisters Lets Talk” that reached local and global audiences a space for women to communicate open and honestly what was on their hearts and minds From 2016 until a few weeks before her passing Joy worked as a Co-Parenting Educator with F.A.C.E.S., guiding families with wisdom and compassion helping them navigate conflict and find peace. Through her businesses CFG World coaching people of faith find their purpose through resiliency training, and Dr. Joy Coaching helps mature women reinvent themselves and master the art of resiliency.
Dr. Vaughan was also a talented author. Her three books—Three Mean Alligators, Powerful People Powerful Lives, and The Art of Resilience: Phoenixes Rising—were additional stamps of Joy working her purpose here in the time that she was given.
Joy lived profound life lessons: to keep going in the face of adversity, to know one’s purpose, and to finish one’s mission. These principles guided her life and shaped her impact on others. From her mother, she learned to “plan your life in decades and reinvent yourself every five years”—a philosophy she embraced fully. Through every chapter of her life, Joy evolved, reimagined, and rose anew, embodying the very resilience she taught.
Dr. Joy Vaughan will be remembered for radiant spirit, her fierce dedication to growth, and her ability to inspire others to rise above challenges. Her legacy lives on through her granddaughters Summer and Riley, her daughter in love Erica Vaughan Brown, her cousins Jan Hackett and Jeff Hackett, nieces, nephews, extended family Friends, coworkers, and her students.
Boyd Panciera, University Drive Chapel
Boyd Panciera, University Drive Chapel
© 2026 Boyd Panciera. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Michaelene Holder-March
November 21, 2025, 2:48 pm
I am thankful for your love and guidance. God’s grace is with you. RIP
Gail P. Birks
November 21, 2025, 5:12 pm
Words are hard to come by in this moment. But knowing that we were able to have so many “giggle sessions” that uplifted us when we least expected. You called me your BESTIE and that will forever be an honor that I cherish. We both grew in life and business as friends and sisters.
Rest well my sister friend. You have truly earned your wings and a special place in the Elder Council.
See you later
Elder Antoinette Bryant
November 21, 2025, 9:40 pm
My sincere love and appreciation of the acquaintance of this lovely soul, that brought sunshine wherever she showed up. Her lasting legacy has been received and for her survivors. The Lord Bless you, and keep you, make his face shine upon and be gracious to you, the Lord turn his face towards you and give you peace. Amen
Connie Davis
November 22, 2025, 3:11 am
Dr Joy you will forever be missed you were such a bright light to anyone that had the blessing of having you as a part of their lives thank you for always encouraging me every time we spoke and believing in me when sometimes I didn’t believe in myself those conversations are what I will miss the most I know you are in heaven shining that bright light even brighter sleep in peace beautiful angel we will miss you dearly 💐🕊️💜
Angela Westerman
November 22, 2025, 12:08 pm
Joy, Gone but will never be forgotten .You have completed your journey here now Rest in Peace and Rise in Glory.
Hyacinth Brathwaite
November 22, 2025, 2:29 pm
My condolences to the family. May she rest in peace and rise in glory.
Grace Ifill aka Branwun Bonnett
November 22, 2025, 2:36 pm
Joy was my chool mate at Girls’ Foundation School ]GFS]. She was always ambitious.
May her soul rest in eternal peace! Condolences to her family as they mourn her loss.
Darlene Mason
November 22, 2025, 3:51 pm
I will miss you Joy. There’s freedom in Jesus.
Elder Darlene Mason
Carol Goodridge
November 22, 2025, 3:54 pm
May our dear and precious Joy Rest In Peace. We shall miss her dearly, especially at Christmas as she always had a meal with us on Christmas Day during her many visits home to Barbados.
May God bless her until we meet again
Mark Goodridge
November 22, 2025, 4:01 pm
Condolences to all the family. An angel is at peace.
Elder Antoinette
November 22, 2025, 4:43 pm
God Bless The Vaughn Family
Fred MacDonald
November 22, 2025, 5:13 pm
We Love you and know you are with JESUS in Heaven and are with all our love ones who left to Heaven before us but we will be togeather again for ever for eternity.Sing to him a new Song .psalm 33:3 God Bless! Love Fred& Melissa MacDonald
Fredrick. MacDonald
November 22, 2025, 5:35 pm
We Love you! You are in Heaven with JESUS and our love one’s who have left to Heaven before us and we see you again in Heaven forever for eternity .Sing to him a new Song .psalm 33:3 .God Bless! Fred& Melissa MacDonald
Stephanie Ward
November 23, 2025, 3:13 am
May Joy rest in peace in our spiritual home. I am thankful we shared our school days at Girls Foundation and will remember her smiling, laughing face, always. Thank God for her life and her service to others.
Stephanie (Nightingale) Ward
Claudinette
November 24, 2025, 12:57 am
A life well lived. You came and did what you had to do. Thank you for your guidance and encouragement. May your soul be at peace 🕊️
Joy Clayton
November 24, 2025, 8:54 pm
I will miss you, Dr. Joy. You made such a powerful and positive impact on my life, and I’m truly better because of you. I know you’re surrounded with love and peace where you are. Thank you again, from the bottom of my heart. ❤️
Delores Callender
November 27, 2025, 5:35 pm
Joy was my classmate at Girls Foundation School In Barbados A beautiful spirit. Rest in peace Joy .
Millicent StClaire
November 28, 2025, 12:23 pm
God bless your beautiful soul and I know that where ever your soul may be, just beyond the veil, you are continuing on your journey, ever expanding and being a source of light and love to others. You are indeed a Joy!
Zoanne Evans
February 19, 2026, 1:22 pm
I am so glad to have met you Joy. In researching your father for my thesis, you were one of greatest gifts God gave to me on my academic journey. That it became more than research and a friendship blossomed, was a great blessing. I treasure the moments we spent together. May you rest in peace and may we meet again one day.