Bobbie Joe Vaughan Ross

Mrs. Bobbie Joe Vaughan Ross was born on August 13, 1926. She was the first born of three daughters to Willie Lucius Vaughan and Foster Taylor Vaughan. If you talked with Mrs. Vaughan, she had no problem telling you how special her daughters were to her, and if you needed a second opinion, Mr. Vaughan had no problem backing up that statement. So that is how Bobbie grew up; in a loving family that was in a tight-knit community. Bobbie would say that the Vaughan families lived on one side of them and the Lucius families on the other, so while growing up, they were surrounded by family and friends. Later in life, when the three sisters told stories of their childhood, the good times they experienced were obvious from their descriptions.

Bobbie attended several community schools during her formative years and was a graduate of Eupora High School. After high school, she enrolled in Wood Jr. College, majoring in education. While at Wood Jr., Bobbie met and married Mr. Edwin Ross. Edwin was a native of Webster County and had returned after his service in WWII. Within a few years, Edwin decided to re-enlist in the service and he and Bobbie set out to see the world. Bobbie and Edwin enjoyed military life, and during 22 years of service they lived in England, Okinawa, and several locations within the United States. Also while in the service, Bobbie and Edwin started a family, having two sons, Charles Edwin Ross and James Vaughan Ross. In 1965, Edwin decided to retire from the Air Force, and the family moved back to Webster County, settling in Eupora, MS. Bobbie decided to return to education, and in the late 1960’s acquired both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees. As a teacher in the Eupora School System, Bobbie taught several different classes, with the vast amount of her career devoted to 8th grade mathematics.

After their retirements, Bobbie and Edwin were encouraged to move away from Webster County, closer to their sons. They thought about it for a brief second and answered “no”. They had moved out of Webster County one time before and had no intension of doing it again. From 1965 to 2009, Bobbie and Edwin lived in Webster County only to leave on vacation or to visit family/friends. Edwin passed way in December of 2009, and Bobbie remained in Eupora until 2021, when she moved to assisted living in Ridgeland, MS. Mrs. Bobbie Joe Vaughan Ross passed peacefully in her sleep on July 16, 2026, after suffering from a minor illness. She would have been 100 years young on August 13, 2026.

Mrs. Ross was preceded in death by her husband, Mr. Edwin Ross, by her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Foster Vaughan, and by her sister, Mrs. Pattie Smith Fulgham. She is survived by her sons, Mr. Charles Ross (Sharon), and Mr. James Ross (Mickey), one sister, Mrs. Clois Minyard, and four grandchildren, Mr. Andy Ross, Mr. David Ross (Katie), Mr. Steven Ross, and Mrs. Katie Werkin (Jacob). Additionally, Mrs. Ross is also survived by six great grandchildren, along with numerous other family members.

Funeral Services for Mrs. Bobbie will be held at 11:00AM Wednesday, July 22, 2026, at First Baptist Church in Eupora, Mississippi. The family will receive friends and loved ones for a time of Visitation on Tuesday evening, July 21, 2026, from 5:00PM until 7:00PM at Oliver Funeral Home in Eupora, Mississippi. Mrs. Bobbie's body will also lie in state at First Baptist Church in Eupora from 10:00AM until time for Services at 11:00AM on Wednesday, July 22, 2026. Interment will follow the services at Webster Memorial Gardens in Eupora, Mississippi where Mrs. Bobbie will be laid to rest by her late husband, Edwin E. Ross. The funeral will be officiated by Rev. Travis Gray, Pastor of Eupora First Baptist Church, of which Bobbie and Edwin Ross were long time members. Pallbearers will be Mr. Andy Ross, Mr. David Ross, Mr. Steven Ross, Mr. Joe Smith, Mr. Ross Holleyman, Mr. Eric Holleyman, Mr. Jasper Lummus, and Mr. Jerry Stewart. Honorary Pallbearers are Mr. Glen Earnest and Mr. Robert Beck.

Special thanks from the family to: The Staff and Aides of the Orchard, the Eupora Club, Mrs. Deb Biggers, Mrs. Maxine Nabors, Mrs. Barbara Elkins, and Mrs. Gayle Earnest – who continued to see mom after her move to assisted living and the Staff and Congregation of Eupora First Baptist Church. Special love and admiration from Mrs. Bobbie Ross to all the students she taught at Eupora.

Oliver Funeral Home of Eupora is honored to be entrusted with all arrangements for the Ross family.