Cassandra "Peaches" (Vaughan) Wright

Cassandra “Peaches” Vaughan Wright passed away unexpectedly on December 24, 2018, at the age of 68.

She was born on February 21, 1950, the second of three children born to Alexander and Ella Vaughan of Portsmouth, Virginia.

Cassandra was a proud member of the Metropolitan Baptist Church for more than thirty years. She found particular joy in singing with many of the church’s various choirs throughout her long membership. Her love of the music ministry was longstanding.  During her teen years in Portsmouth, she was the pianist for several of Noble Street Baptist Church’s choirs. Her faith in God and membership at Metropolitan Baptist Church were two of the most important things in her life, and she found special happiness in the fellowship and community she had with her brothers and sisters in the church.

At the time of her death, Cassandra worked for the District of Columbia Metropolitan Police Department, an organization to which she had dedicated most of her professional career. She served in various capacities during her tenure, including Management Analyst, Program Analyst, and Information Technology Consultant. Before her tenure at MPD, she worked for the Department of Public Works. Throughout her career, Cassandra received numerous professional commendations highlighting her achievements, professionalism, and work ethic. She was proud of her work as a public servant and was thought of fondly by the people with whom she worked.

Cassandra was a graduate of I.C Norcom High School in Portsmouth, Virginia, Strayer University, and Southeastern University in Washington, DC, where she earned a Masters of Public and Business Administration.

On March 26, 1987, Cassandra had her only child, Jaysen Alexander Vaughan Wright. As a single parent, Cassandra made numerous sacrifices for Jaysen, including sending him to the prestigious Beauvior Elementary School and St. Albans School for Boys. On weekends, Cassandra was often transporting Jaysen from violin, soccer, tennis, and choir practices, and theater rehearsal. She tried to nurture her son’s curiosity and give him the best opportunities she could. In 1997, through her dedication and sacrifice, she was able to purchase a house and move their family from a small apartment in Washington, DC to a home in Annapolis, Maryland. She found joy in seeing her son succeed in life, taking special pride in watching him perform onstage as a professional actor.

She is survived by her son, Jaysen and his husband Christopher Wright Durocher (Washington, DC); sister, Debbie Vaughan Smallwood, her husband Maurice, and their children, Jordan and Shelby (San Jose, California); aunt, Ruth Johnson (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania); cousin, Sherry Alston, her husband Frank (McLean, Virginia), and their children, Dr. Kathy Alston and Glynis Burton; cousin, Brenda Dowtin, her husband Walter (Suitland, Maryland), and their children, Miriam and Helen; niece, Tonya Vaughan (Springfield, Virginia); great-nephews, Darrell Parker, Zerry Vaughan, Jr., and Daezon Vaughan; great-niece, Ajeé Vaughan; goddaughters, Neena and Jacque Oduro; and many other family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her mother, Ella Bailey Vaughan, her father, Alexander Vaughan, her brother, Alexander Vaughan, Jr., and her nephew, Zerry Sinclair Vaughan.

We will always remember your laugh, your smile, your voice, your faith, and your determination. Rest now and always in God’s arms.

The funeral service will be held on Thursday, January 3, 2019, at Metropolitan Baptist Church, 1200 Mercantile Lane, Largo, Maryland 20774.  Visitation begins at 11:00 a.m., with the service following immediately at 12:00 noon. 

Cassandra will be interred on Friday, January 4, 2019, at 1:00 p.m. at Greenlawn Memorial Cemetery in Chesapeake, Virginia, in the same mausoleum section as her mother, father, and brother.

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