Deborah Goodwin Vaught passed on October 28, 2026, at the age of 74. She was born in Richmond, Missouri but was raised in Greenville, Mississippi. She attended Greenville High School and later obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Delta State University and a Masters degree in Environmental Science from the University of Colorado Denver. She traveled extensively throughout her life and especially enjoyed her time in Italy.

Deborah worked for many years in pharmaceutical sales in Memphis, Tennessee and then was a scientist at the US Geological Survey National Water Quality Lab in Denver, Colorado before her retirement in Santa Fe, New Mexico, her magical place.

In addition to traveling, she loved cooking, reading, music, gardening, and nature. She was preceded in death by her parents Johnnie and Bonnie Goodwin and two brothers, John and Rickie Goodwin. She is survived by her daughter, Cheryl Ward Burkey, son-in- law David Burkey, granddaughter Elaine Burkey, and her sisters Sharon Goodwin Bennett and Christy Goodwin Mobley, and three nieces and a nephew.