Alwana Mitta Wood was born in Bridgeport, Texas on February 26, 1915to James “Jim” Isaac Wood and Mitta “Mittie” Ophelia McKnight Wood. She was the granddaughter of pioneer citizens. Her paternal grandfather, John Henderson Wood, was an Indian Scout at Fort Belknap from 1852 to 1854, a Texas Ranger, and an officer in the Confederate Army. Alwana’s maternal grandfather, William Newton McKnight, settled near Caseyville in Young County in 1872, claiming preempted land in the Lower Brazos Indian Reserve to begin farming.
Miss Alwana Wood grew up in Graham and her early music training began with private music lessons from her beloved aunt, Georgia Adaline“Aunt Addie” Johnson Wood, one of Graham’s earliest music teachers. Aunt Addie was the daughter of U.S. DeputyMarshal Edward“Edwin” Walker Johnson and Caddo Emily Wilson Johnson. After Aunt Addie’s death in 1924, Alwana continued her music and voice studies with Lillie Mae McKaig, the daughter of Tom and Wildie Calvin.
While Alwana’s early lessons taught her piano and vocal techniques, her greatest teacher was herself. She read every piece of sheet music that came her way and practiced until the work was polished to her satisfaction. She discovered a player piano and was fascinated by the way the keys responded to the perforations in the piano roll. After seeing and hearing the device, she imitated the results—and carried the tricks she learned to other pieces as well.
Alwana never learned music in a vacuum. Starting at the age of 10, she played the piano and sang for events throughout the city. She stopped doing so only in her late 90’s when failing eyesight made reading music too difficult. Alwana accompanied W.D. McFarlane, who loved to sing, on many occasions. Mr. McFarlane, Mary Pitcock’s father, was a Congressman from this district and one of Graham’s most distinguished citizens.
After graduating from Graham High School, Alwana Wood married Alfred Lilburn Vaughan, a petroleum landman, on June 23, 1935, at Altus, Oklahoma. The couple moved to Graham in 1951.
Her work with young people is a modern legend in Graham. She could take frightened, shy youngsters in hand, instill them with confidence and love of music, and turn them loose on both the stage and the world. She taught music privately for 25 years. After retiring from private teaching in 1976, she continued to be active in the musical productions at Graham High School. She is an honorary member of the Thespians Society and the Graham High School Band. She assisted Jack Cody with the All-American Girl Pageant every year for 30 years. Working with contestants who had little or no formal music training, she whipped up a song they could learn, she taught them how to sing, and played as their accompanist (before the days of music tapes).To determine the actual number of young, aspiring singers she has given confidence-building music lessons, free of charge, would be impossible.
Alwana began contributing her musical talents to Graham’s religious life at a precocious age. She played for church events at the First Baptist Church, where she has been a member for 89 years. She worked with the first Living Christmas Tree production, coordinating the secular part of the show for many years. Although a Baptist, she was called into service for the Lord’s Acre project at First United Methodist Church. She played the piano in the back end of a truck at the annual event. She has played the piano for countless weddings and funerals, free of charge. When asked how many, she replies, “Honey, I couldn’t count them if I tried.”
Alwana served on the planning committee for Graham’s Centennial Celebration in 1972 and planned or scheduled most of the musical events. Her music students comprised a large part of the entertainment.
Another of her passions was the Graham Regional Theatre Summer Musical Program. She attended every rehearsal for the GRT Summer Musical from 2002 to 2012 and after that as often as she could, offering her unique knowledge of dance, music, and general stage presence to numerous beginner and seasoned performers.
In 2000, Alwana was given the Hero For Children award by the State of Texas. The honor was presented by the Commissioner of Education for the State of Texas at a special event at Austin. Her club affiliations are numerous. She was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution for more than 60 years. She served as regent, chaplain, and music coordinator. In addition, she organized Children of the American Revolution and worked with them for countless years.
Alwana was a charter member of the Graham Hospital Auxiliary, which was organized in 1958, and has been a recipient of their service awards on many occasions. The ardent musician has been a member of the Graham Concert Association since its beginning.
Her longtime assignment as arrangement chairman required that she made sure all guest artists were welcomed, fed, and had everything they needed. In the early years of the association, her piano was sometimes used for a concert before the auditorium had its own grand piano. She heard regularly from many artists who have come to Graham to perform. They have never forgotten the warm welcome they received from this tiny, dynamic woman who made them feel at home. She is an honorary Rotarian who played for the Rotary Follies for several years, and she has helped with almost every production in some way.
She was the official Chamber of Commerce accompanist and entertainer for many years and played for luncheon meetings. These “gigs” were in addition to playing for the Lady Lions Club, Kiwanis, and other luncheons in the American Legion Building for as long as people can remember–some after having both shoulders and both knees replaced. Alwana was twice named the Outstanding Citizen by the Graham Chamber of Commerce.
Alwana Vaughan’s “final bow” was on April 29, 2016, when she passed away in her beloved Graham, Texas at the age of 101 years. The world lost one of its most creative and caring souls.