Vaughn David Thacker

Vaughn Thacker, 69, of Gulfport, MS walked through the gates of Heaven on October 26, 2012. He was born in Evansville, TN and was a resident of Gulfport, MS for the past 32 years. He was a member of Bel-Aire Baptist Church in Gulfport and a retired professor at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College. He was preceded in death by his parents, Charles Elias and Anna Maude Thacker; a brother, John; and a sister, Phyllis. He is survived by his wife of 37 years, Jerry Thacker; daughters, Tangie Carrillo (Mel) of Gulfport; Theresa Coaker of Marietta, GA; Linda Miller (Wade) of Jackson, MS; a sister, Kathy Thacker Campbell (Harold) of Belle Chase, LA; a brother, Michael Thacker (Karen) of Kingston, TN; six grandchildren, Jadyn, Elias, Chad, Jessica, Shaina, Corey; and thirteen great-grandchildren. Vaughn dedicated over 40 years of his life to gospel music and performed with several quartets including, the Dixie Echoes, the Bibletones, the Delta Boys and others. He was a talented singer, song writer, and pianist and he expressed his love for the Lord through songs he penned such as “Heaven’s Really Real”, “I'm Not Ashamed”, “There is An Empty Grave”, and many more. The family would like to express their sincere gratitude to Greg Sullivan and his staff at A Connected Heart Personal Care Home for the love and compassionate care they provided. The funeral service will be Saturday, November 3, 2012 at 2:00 p.m. at Bradford-O’Keefe, O’Neal Road, Gulfport where friends may visit beginning at 12:00 noon. View and sign the register book at www.bradfordokeefe.com