Vonda Purcell Boughan, 80, of Higgins, died Sept. 27, 2019, at her home, following a brief illness. Memorial services will be held at 10 am on Saturday, Oct. 12, at the Higgins ISD auditorium. Cremation arrangements were under the direction of Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors of Canadian.

Vonda was born to Elzie Mac ”Shorty” and Violet Felkel Purcell on Jan. 15, 1939, in Hemphill County, on the old Jones and Jones Ranch on Oasis Creek. She received her high school diploma from Crawford High School in Crawford, Oklahoma. Her first job was at a law office in Elk City, Oklahoma. Vonda worked in a factory making bras in Pampa. She owned two cafes and managed Perk’s Convenience Store in Higgins for 26 years. In 1956, she married Fountain James “PeeWee” Boughan, and, together, they raised one daughter, Kay Boughan.

Vonda and Pee Wee worked on cattle ranches during their marriage, the Castleberry Ranch in Dalhart, as well as other ranches in Texas. During her ranch life, she worked as a ranch hand, doctored animals, and was cook and housekeeper. Vonda worked at the Wolf Creek Heritage Museum in Lipscomb and had an antique shop in Higgins. She enjoyed leatherwork, genealogy, square dancing, and was a member of Eastern Star. Some of her favorite hobbies were fishing and going to garage sales. Vonda was an avid reader and collector of cookbooks. She also loved to sew. She was known for her bright red hair, love of turquoise jewelry, and her love for long fingernails.

Vonda was preceded in death by her husband, Pee Wee; her parents, Shorty and Violet Purcell; brothers, Gene and Bill Purcell; nephews, Mac and Donnie Purcell; and a great-niece, Emily Purcell.

Survivors include her daughter, Kay Boughan; grandchildren, Jonathan Hammons, Shawn Hammons and wife Lisa, Jeannie Hammons and Jason Ginter, and Matthew Hammons, all of Higgins; great-grandkids, Jonathon, Navi, Cameron, Kiara, Aspen, Aries, Gabriel, Jaxson, and Cash; great-great-grandkids, Everleigh and Conrad; as well as numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, and scores of beloved friends.

An online guest register is available at www.carmichael-whatleyofcanadian.com.