Our beloved Courtney Jide Vaughn departed this life suddenly on May 2, 2016 at the young age of 21. She was born in Washington DC on December 23, 1994 to proud parents Jimmie Vaughn and Deborah R. Childs. Courtney was a graduate of DC Public Schools Woodrow Wilson Senior High School, class of 2013. After graduation, she took a year off from school during which her love for animals led her to become a volunteer at the Washington Animal Rescue League. In pursuit of her passion for makeup and skin care, she returned to school, enrolling at the French Institute in Washington, DC to become a licensed esthetician. She was near completion of her course work and had begun preparing for the Esthetics State Board examination. She was a standout student. Courtney loved to dance and was an avid fan of the K-pop (Korean Pop) genre of music. She was a generous soul, always willing to help others. She had no tolerance for racism and social injustice. Courtney was baptized at the age of eleven at New Southern Rock Baptist Church. She was a member of the Junior Choir. Courtney was shy and soft-spoken, but her loving heart and beautiful bright smile spoke volumes and have left an indelible mark that will continue to live on with us. Courtney is survived by her parents, Jimmie Vaughn and Deborah R. Childs; her grandmother, Rebecca J. Childs; her aunts and uncle, Jacqulyn Childs Coats, Joellen Childs, and Holloway Coats; her three favorite cousins, Nicholas Childs, Bakari Childs, and Holloway Coats III (Tre); her half-brothers and sisters, Lisa Vaughn-Harris, Linda Vaughn-Brown, Vonda Vaughn-Baldwin, Anthony Vaughn, and Jeffrey Vaughn; and a host of cousins and friends.