Obituary

On January 26, 2026, Charlene A. Vaughan passed away in Charleston, WV, from living life to the fullest.

Charlene was well known and respected throughout the state during her successful 30-year career as a lawyer. After receiving her undergraduate degree from Marshall University and law degree from West Virginia University School of Law, Charlene opened the first solo private law practice owned and operated by a black woman in Rainelle, Greenbrier County, WV. Disillusioned that the practice/rule of law was not black and white/right and wrong, but the ability to compromise truth, which she felt at that time she wasn’t capable of, she took a 9-year sabbatical to the U.S. Virgin Islands working for USVI fish and Wildlife and then with Majestic Construction as an equipment operator.

After the passing of her beloved parents, Hobert and Vetres, and having matured, she returned home to WV, briefly worked for the WV Public Employees Insurance Agency, then, back to the practice of law with the WV Office of Attorney General providing litigation counsel to the WV Department of Health and Human Resources until her retirement as Deputy Attorney General of the DHHR Division in 2013. Charlene was a member of the American Bar Association, WV State Bar, Mountain State Bar and was named a WV Bar Foundation Fellow. Charlene held many important positions, including serving on the American Bar Association Government Lawyers Council, President of the American Association of Public Welfare Attorneys, the WV State Bar Board of Governors, the WV Lawyer Disciplinary Board, and Chair of the WV State Bar Government Lawyers Committee.

Charlene loved being a strong advocate for her clients, singing, dancing, cooking, growing plants, being in the mountains and rivers of WV, and the mountains and beaches of Belize. She was beholding for the love of her true friends.

All honor to her name.

Condolences may be sent to www.barlowbonsall.com.

Barlow Bonsall Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements.