Alice Eileen (Vaughn) Burke

Alice Eileen (Vaughn) Burke, age 92, passed away peacefully on June 13, 2026, in Sugar Hill, Georgia, at Wisdom Well Living under the loving care of Beatrice Karangwa.

Alice was born on July 24, 1933, in Kingsport, Tennessee, the daughter of Orville and Mellie Vaughn. The family then moved to Duffield, Virginia, where she lived until graduating from Fairview High School.

After graduation, she began her career as a switchboard operator for a telephone company in Kingsport, Tennessee. She continued her career as a telecommunications operator for over 60 years, working in Dayton, Ohio, until she retired in 2018 at the age of 84 from Good Samaritan Hospital.

Alice was a sweet and caring woman who treated everyone with kindness, respect, and love. She was a devoted and selfless mother who always put the needs of her children before her own. Her faith was the cornerstone of her life, and she loved Jesus with all her heart, leaning on Him through every season of life.

She found comfort, peace, and joy in gospel music, especially the Gaither Vocal Band and Jimmy Swaggart. She enjoyed bowling, reading mystery novels, working crossword puzzles, and putting together jigsaw puzzles. She had a lifelong interest in England’s royal family and the American Civil War, and she loved visiting historical sites. She was also a devoted fan of classic Westerns, with Bonanza being one of her favorites.

Alice cherished her family, and they were the center of her life. She was a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend whose gentle spirit and unwavering faith touched countless lives. Her kindness, strength, and devotion will be remembered by all who knew and loved her.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Orville and Mellie Vaughn; brothers, Carl Vaughn, Charles Vaughn, Johnny Vaughn, and Paul Vaughn; grandson Kevin Dotson; great granddaughter Wesleigh Strom. Former husband Hubert Rhoton.

Left to cherish her memory are her four children, Sherry (Randy) Strom, Teresa (Trini) Rendon, Steve (Debbie) Rhoton, and Kim Fields; nine grandchildren, Eric (Bethany) Strom, Kyle (Callie) Strom, Noel (Micah) Robinson, Jessica (Justin) Casanova, Emilee (Christian) Smith, Aaron (Kayleigh) Rhoton, Chad Demore, Desmond Fields, Daylen Fields, and Trinity Fields; nineteen great-grandchildren, Sydney, Cade, Kennedy, Paisley, Landyn, Miles, Autumn, Honor, Titus, Keira, Isaac, Olivia, Peyton, Brycen, Silas, Levi, Judah, Iyla, and Elijah; Sisters-in-law, Sue Vaughn and Joni Vaughn; and many nieces, nephews, and dear friends.

A visitation will be held from 12 pm until 1 pm on Saturday, June 20, 2026 at Scott County Funeral Home. A funeral service will follow at 1 pm. Burial will follow at Fraley Cemetery.

Though she will be deeply missed, Alice leaves behind a legacy of faith, love, and selflessness that will continue to live on in the hearts of her family and friends.

Carter-Trent/Scott County funeral home is serving the Burke family.