Three Households, One Heart: The Vaughn Family's Village Approach to Modern Family Life

Photo by Karen Presecan

They say you can’t choose your family, but sometimes you do. For the Vaughn Family, friendship and family are inseparable.

When the Delcid family, comprised of Mercedees, Edvin, and their children, moved to Fredericksburg in 2020, they weren't just seeking a fresh start, they were planting the seeds for something far more ambitious: a multi-generational, multi-household family compound built on faith, shared values, and an unwavering commitment to raising their children together.

The Annan family—Ebonee, her husband Alfred, and their children soon followed. The reason was simple: "The Annan family followed to ensure that the children could remain close together and experience the joy of growing up side by side,” Mercedees explains.

Today, sisters Ebonee, Mercedees, younger sister Lexus, and their mother, Jacqueline Ussery, have formed what they lovingly call The Vaughn Family—a beautiful example of turning the "it takes a village" philosophy into a way of life.

The connection between Ebonee and Mercedees runs deeper than typical sibling ties. These sisters don't just live near each other; they are twins who have woven their daily lives together in ways that most modern families only dream about. They homeschool their children collaboratively, run a nature-based co-op together, and even played matchmaker for each other's love stories.

The tale of how Ebonee met her husband Alfred is now family legend. When Mercedees and her now-husband Edvin were newly dating, they decided to crash Ebonee's blind date, for safety purposes, of course.

"Mercedees and Edvin decided to show up at the same restaurant and sit at the table across from them, just to make sure Alfred was safe and not a threat,” Ebonee laughs. "Thirteen years later, we are still going strong, and everyone jokes that nobody has been harmed in the process."

Building a Shared Legacy

At the center of the Vaughn Family's life is Vaughn's Meadow, a homeschool co-op that reflects the sisters' vision for education rooted in nature, creativity, and faith. Vaughn's Meadow is more than a learning space—it's a lifeline for area families seeking affordable, community-centered education.

"We created Vaughn's Meadow, our homeschool co-op, as a way to serve the families in our area," Mercedees says. "Since there are not many options like this locally, it has filled a gap for families looking for both education and connection."

The co-op meets at Sylvania Heights Baptist Church and Holy Roots Farm. For the Vaughn Family, education and faith are inseparable, and their commitment to both shapes everything they do.

Ebonee homeschools her children and is an educational leader, ministry servant, and behavioral health professional who serves as the Director of Therapeutic Consultation Services, where she leads behavioral support programs for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. She is also the founder and Educational Architect of Vaughn's Meadow. 

Mercedees balances homeschooling with her work as a remote medical billing & coding specialist in the tech space. Their husbands bring stability, too. Alfred works as a government employee, while Edvin manages teams and advocates for individuals with disabilities in the IDD field. 

Between them, Ebonee and Mercedees have eight children, ranging in age from infants to young adults. There's Tahtiana, 20, who lives on her own with her love of art; Avaughn, 15, a high school wrestler; Khloey, 14, a talented cellist; Ezra, 9, a gifted pianist; Macie, 8, a spirited volleyball player; Ava Jae, 7, a competitive gymnast; and the two youngest, Ezekiel, 2, and baby Isaac, who complete the circle. They share daily life, adventures, and the kind of childhood memories that will bind them for life; essentially, they are siblings rather than cousins.

"Together, we are not a traditional family by the world's standards; we are three families who chose to stay one," Ebonee says. "We share in raising children, supporting one another, and creating lasting memories as The Vaughn Family." Their chosen family name– and the name of their company– honors their grandfather Willie B. Vaughn, whose legacy lives on. 

A Commitment to Fredericksburg & Service

The village mentality extends beyond the family's own households. Service to the broader community is woven into the fabric of daily life. The teenagers volunteer at church, leading Thursday night Bible studies and participating in summer mission trips. The family regularly organizes donation drives, collecting school supplies for Stafford Junction, volunteering on local farms as farmhands,  and donating items to the Ronald McDonald House.

Edvin volunteered as a firefighter until illness forced him to stop. But the spirit of service he modeled lives on in the next generation.

"Service has become a way of life for us," Mercedees emphasizes. "Whether it is through formal volunteer work, church ministries, or family-led drives, we see it as our responsibility and our joy to give back to the community that surrounds us."

The sisters also administer many local moms groups and lead a neighborhood Bible study for women and host what they call a "backyard hub" for teens, a safe gathering space that extends the family's hospitality and faith to the young people in their neighborhood.

For the Vaughn Family, Fredericksburg offers the perfect balance: small-town charm with room to grow, both literally and figuratively. They frequent Braehead Farm, where the children can pick fruits and vegetables, and the Fredericksburg Farmers Market, where they connect with local growers.

"What we enjoy most about Fredericksburg is the sense of community and balance of small-town charm with growth opportunities for our children," Ebonee shares. The area provides space for children to explore nature, surrounded by history, culture, and strong values.

When vacation time comes, the family makes memories at Virginia Beach, Great Wolf Lodge, and their camper at Indian Acres. They also travel to Florida to visit extended family. But there's one destination that holds special meaning: Hawaii, where Ebonee, Mercedees, and Lexus spent their childhood.

"One day, we dream of taking the kids back to Hawaii," Mercedees says. "It would be so meaningful to share that part of our history and roots with the next generation."

At the Heart of It All

Anchoring this remarkable family structure is Jacqueline Ussery, who was a single mother to the sisters and family matriarch. She is an Army veteran of 21 years, preparing for her second retirement. Jacqueline's legacy of hard work, resilience, and dedication inspires the entire family.

"At the center of it all is our mother, Jacqueline, whose strength and love have built the foundation for our family," Ebonee explains.

While many extended families are increasingly fragmented and nuclear families often feel isolated, the Vaughn Family offers a compelling alternative. They've created a modern village that honors both independence and interdependence, separate households that function as one family. This family is pursuing individual careers while pooling resources and raising children collaboratively.

It's a model that requires intention, sacrifice, and a deep commitment to shared values. But for Ebonee, Mercedees, and the entire Vaughn Family, the rewards are immeasurable.

"For us, Fredericksburg is more than a place we live," Ebonee concludes. "It is a place where our children are thriving, where family bonds are strengthened, and where we are building a legacy rooted in faith, love, and community."

While the modern world often prizes independence, the Vaughn Family embraces the strength, joy, and resilience found in building community together.