E vangeline Vann peacefully transitioned from her earthly home to her eternal resting place surrounded by her children and other loved ones. Born on February 10, 1934, she answered her Heavenly Father’s call on October 25, 2018. A woman of strong faith, she knew her life was guided and guarded by the love of Christ.
Evangeline was the fifth of fourteen children born to the late Mack and Nora Vann in Ahoskie, North Carolina. She was introduced to Christ at an early age and attended Second Baptist Union Church. She was educated in the Hertford County School System.
During her early adult years, Evangeline relocated to Norfolk, Virginia and later Paterson, New Jersey. She had no reservations about celebrating life and enjoyed it to its fullest, but held on to the foundation laid for her. Upon returning to Norfolk, she devoted her life to serving God and later joined Holy Temple and Good Shepherd Church under the leadership of Elder Linares Harris, Jr. Evangeline was an active member until her health began to fail in the early 2000’s.
Evangeline was self-employed with a strong work ethic, which served as an excellent example for her children. Her motto was ‘if you don’t work, you don’t eat’. Also, she instilled a strong value system in her children and taught them meaningful life lessons that have helped them to persevere through some of life’s most difficult challenges. She loved her entire family and was deeply committed to supporting and celebrating their goals.
Over the past 18+ years, Evangeline has battled dementia. In addition to personal care services provided by others, her children have cared for her in a loving environment from the comfort of their homes.
Evangeline was preceded in death by her parents, Mack and Nora Vann; son-in-law, Dennis Crawford; sisters and brothers, Ralph Vann, Jeanette Vann Moses, Elrod Vann, Frank Vann, Steve Vann, Purcell Vann and Bailey Vann; sister and brother in-law, Brenda Vann and Johnny Hill.
Those left to mourn her passing and cherish precious memories are her children, Patricia Vann-Crawford, James Graves, Olander (Teresa) Graves, Stanford (Rhonda) Vann, Howard Vann, Bernard Vann; grandchildren, Dominique Crawford, Natalie (Donnie) Crawford Beamer, Patrick Crawford, Ladia Uzzle, Olander (Shawnda) Jordan, Lawrence Parker, Alonzo Ferguson, Stanford Vann, Jr., Stephaan Vann and Gorgeous S’Mauri Vann; great-grandchildren, Donte Uzzle, Lakiya Uzzle, Kevin Uzzle, Blake Beamer, Donald Beamer, III, Skylar Jordan and Kori Jordan; and great-great grandchild, Aaliyah Uzzle; sisters and brothers, Emma Hill, Frances (Joe) James, Linda James, Mildred (Charles) Williams, McDonald Vann, Moses Vann; sisters and brother-in-law, Gloria Vann, Linda Vann and Sam Moses; a very special friend, Florine Mungin of Florence, SC; a very special niece, Michele Conley of Las Vegas, NV; and many other nieces, nephews, cousins
and friends.
The love and memories shared will live on in our hearts.