In Loving
Memory

Mary Vaughan O’Brien

February 16, 1944 – July 21, 2023

On Friday, July 21, 2023, our Lord and Savior called an angel home. Mary Vaughan O’Brien, (our Mom) aged 79 years, passed away of natural causes at her personal residence in North Chesterfield, VA.

Mom was born in Sandston, VA., and was quickly adopted by her parents, the late William M. and Mary J. Vaughan. She was raised in Richmond, VA., and attended public schools there. At age 18 she married her first husband, Laurence R. Miller, Jr., and created three children, Andrew, Matthew, and Martha. Matthew died in infancy. She lived in Chester, VA. for more than 25 years while raising her children. She remarried later in life to Floyd H. O’Brien, Jr. of Colonial Heights, VA, and they resided in Chesterfield, VA. until his death in 2022.  They were married for 23 years.

Mom loved the Lord with all her heart. In her young adult years, she attended Chester Baptist Church where she was a member of the choir and helped operate the church library. In her later years, she was a member of the Ampthill Presbyterian Church closer to her residence. She was first a homemaker, but later worked a small career in several retail businesses after her children reached adulthood. Mom returned to the role of homemaker and became caregiver for her second husband’s mother and then for Floyd, until his passing.

Mom loved the water be it pools, beaches, showers, and the rain (until it bothered her knees too much). She wasn’t a gourmet cook, but her family was always fed. In her later years, she became quite the snack food connoisseur. She had many pets throughout her adult years both cats and dogs. She adored her beloved house cat, Judy, who was at her side when she passed away.

Mom enjoyed reading her Bible and Christian fiction novels. She particularly enjoyed playing gospel hymnal music on her piano. She was a quiet woman unless you got her riled. Mom’s well-meaning oldest son had a knack for finding just the right way to push her buttons (he likes to think of it as just gentle guidance). Although she could be very headstrong, those that knew and loved her were always quick to say she was a very kind, gentle, and caring woman. Mom’s sparkling blue-gray eyes and sweet smile made her a treasure among her family and friends.

Mom is survived by her loving children, Andrew L. Miller and his wife, Brandi of Kings Bay, GA, and Martha (Lori) Adams and her husband, Andy of Chester, VA; her grandchildren, Sydney Spicer (William), Brooke Robinson (William), and Whitney Williamson; her two great-grandchildren Grey Marro and Rogue Spicer; and many friends from Ampthill Presbyterian Church and friends in her neighborhood.

A celebration of life service, for our dear mother, will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, July 29, 2023, at Ampthill Presbyterian Church, 2800 Falling Creek Ave., Richmond, VA 23234 with Pastor Ed Kross officiating.