Evangeline John George
Evangeline John George, age 93, passed away from earthly life on March 27, 2024. Born in Beaumont, Texas on May 11, 1930, to James and Rose Katherine George, Evangeline (Van) impacted the lives of many people. Van dedicated her entire life to helping others in her community whether they were family, friends, or complete strangers.
Van graduated from Beaumont High School in 1948. After graduation she attended Lamar College, and later graduated from the University of Houston in 1952 with a Bachelor of Science degree. Aside from her years at the University of Houston, she lived in Beaumont, Texas her entire life and she loved her hometown. She always worked to make Beaumont a place where people wanted to live.
Van taught in the Beaumont ISD for 48 years. She started as a middle school social studies and science teacher at Bowie and Austin Middle Schools. She later became a science teacher at the high school level teaching at Beaumont High School, Beaumont-Charlton Pollard (BCP), and Central High School. During her last 5 years at Central High School, she served as the Student Activities Director.
Not only did Van teach science, she truly cared for her students. Her students were her children, and she loved each one of them. She strived to make school a place where children came to learn, but also had fun. She sponsored many organizations within the school. She headed Anchor Club service organization. She worked as a class sponsor for all of the classes at one time or another. She organized school dances, the prom, and homecoming parades. She was involved with the sports booster clubs. She attended school sports events and helped with the concession stands. She coached students for the Academic Decathlon, Texaco Challenge, and Channel 6 Challenge. She chaperoned many of the students when they got to travel out of town for competitions or field trips. All of the students in the school knew Miss George. Each of them knew they could go to Miss George for help with any problem or concern. She taught multiple generations of families. The students referred to her as “Mamma Van,” and in later years as “Grandma.” Her love for her students was evident to everyone.
Van’s desire to make a difference in the lives of others did not stop when she retired. She continued to volunteer in the community. She has served on the boards of Communities in Schools and the YWCA. She also taught Sunday School at St. Michael’s Orthodox Church and served on the church board. She was a member and president of Delta Kappa Gamma International professional educator’s society and was also the president the Beaumont Association of Retired Teachers.
Not only did Van love her Beaumont, she loved the Great State of Texas and the United States of America. Van enjoyed being involved in politics. Through her involvement with Golden Triangle Republicans and Republican women, she worked to increase voter registration and voter turnout. She looked forward to election time and worked to help elect qualified individuals for office. She never shied away from giving her opinion on any topic, but especially in politics. Right now she would tell you, “Vote Trump!” She called for the citizens of Beaumont to work to clean up the government, the school district, and the streets.
Van is preceded in death by her parents; her sisters, Anita George Lekas (Mitchell) and Theodora George; her brother, Demitri George; and niece, Belynda George.
She is survived by her sister-in-law, Lynda Ferguson George White; nieces, Tina Lekas Miller (Mark), Rose Katherine George Haluschak (Steven), and Effie George Sandifeer (Josh); and nephews, Jim Lekas (Janean) and John Lekas (Tina). Van has a very close-knit extended family and is loved by many cousins, great nieces and great nephews living all around the world.
Van lived a life of loving and caring for others. She was truly grateful for her caregivers and friends who showed her so much love and compassion at the end of her life.
Some years ago, Van and her niece discussed Van’s wishes concerning her arrangements when she passed away. They had a great laugh bringing them both to tears. Knowing Van and her humor, you might also find that the following quotes bring a smile to your face.
Van once said, “Flowers make the funeral.” Her florist of choice is Carl Johnsen Florist.
“If you didn’t know me when I was alive, you don’t need to know me when I am dead. Sorry for your loss.”—Evangeline J. George
Memorial contributions in Van’s memory may be made by check made payable to Lamar University Foundation, P. O. Box 11500, Beaumont, Texas 77710. In the note line on the check, please write IMO Evangeline George. You may also visit the giving webpage at www.lamar.edu/give and for “Designation” please choose “Other” and in the dialogue box state “in memory of Evangeline George”. Any donor can call the Foundation office at 409-880-2117 for assistance in making a gift.
A gathering of Ms. George’s family and friends will begin at 5:00 p.m., with a Trisagion at 7:00 p.m., Monday, April 1, 2024, at St. Michael Antiochian Orthodox Christian Church, 680 N. 15th Street, Beaumont. Her funeral service will be 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, April 2, 2024, at St. Michael Antiochian Orthodox Christian Church. Her interment will follow at Magnolia Cemetery, Beaumont, with a mercy meal following in the church hall. Arrangements were under the direction of Broussard’s, 2000 McFaddin Avenue, Beaumont.
Gathering of Family and Friends
St. Michael Antiochian Orthodox Christian Church
- 690, N 15th St, Beaumont, TX, 77702,
- April 1, 2024
- 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Trisagion
St. Michael Antiochian Orthodox Christian Church
- 690, N 15th St, Beaumont, TX, 77702,
- April 1, 2024
- 7:00 pm
Funeral Service
St. Michael Antiochian Orthodox Christian Church
- 690, N 15th St, Beaumont, TX, 77702,
- April 2, 2024
- 10:00 am
Interment
Magnolia Cemetery
- 2291, Pine St, Beaumont, TX, 77703,
Truly a great lady and dearly loved by her students and Co workers. She will be missed.
Miss George was our 8th grade science or math teacher at James Bowie Jr. High, and many of my classmates have kept in touch with her for all these years. She was KOOL before KOOL was a descriptive word that described someone who was KOOL. A GREAT TEACHER and altogether lovely woman.
We will miss you, Miss George, and your legacy will remain always in our hearts.
I have the highest regard for Miss George. She instilled in me me an interest physical science and chemistry when I was in her accelerated 9th grade lab class at BHS in 1969-1070. Her grading was with pop quizzes and basic experiments she called “lab folders.” She was always frank in her opinions.
I have known Van since 1997 through Delta Kappa Gamma first and then Beaumont Retired Teachers. Her sense of humor was inspiring and she was always able to get you to do what she was trying to talk you into doing. She was a force to be reckoned with!! Even as she was physically unable to do what she used to do, she found ways to stay involved.
I will miss her but I know she is at peace with her Lord and in His presence forevermore.
Prayers for all the family.
Sherilyn Goodman
I have the greatest regard for Evangeline George. I was class of ’73 and in her accelerated 9th grade physical science class at BHS. That meant we did basic experiments she called “lab folders.” Ultimately I became a chemical patent lawyer due to her early influences.
She was frank and direct in her opinions and encouraged discussion.
Van was a mentor and a friend. I remember her talking me into being the junior class sponsor. She taught my daughters and led them into service with the Anchor Club. She will be missed!
A great teacher and inspiration who exemplified a life of service. Thank you.
To God Be The Glory !
A Life well lived Ms. Van!
So glad that our paths crossed, she call me
Ms. Perry☺️ Blessed to be part of her Caregivers Team in her Golden Years! Ms. Van was Real, meaning she asked questions that maybe you only thought…..for she and I friendship was based on the Love for God & his people…..She would say “I’m a Republican and you’re a Democratic……my reply okay…..your blood is Red my blood is Red, you Love the Lord, I Love the Lord! We both encourage everyone to Vote….Your Vote Is Voice!
Always wanting the best for students and Beaumont Texas…And what a Loss to those who didn’t know her. Ms. Van is Legend in her own Time!!! Rest well Ms. Van ! Until We Meet Again!
To God Be The Glory 🙌🏾🙌🏾🙏🏾
That Miss George is held in such esteem by so many over such a long and distinguished career is testament to the type of lady she was. I am grateful for her teaching, both inside and outside the classroom.
Thank you, Miss George!
I did so like MS. GEORGE. sHE WAS A FRIEND TO ME
Ms George was an exceptional teacher and lady. Back in her first years of teaching at Bowie Jr. Hi., she impacted our class of 1959 very deeply, and some of us formed lasting friendships with her. She attended many of our FHS class of ’59 reunions and just two years ago, she was making plans to attend once again, but at the last minute informed us she was just not feeling well enough to attend but sent her regrets, love and best regards to all of us.
Ms. George was a great teacher and mentor. She welcomed many of her students into her heart and gave the best advice. I imagine most every student she taught valued her in one way or another. Sending prayers for her family and close friends. She will surely be missed and have a special place in heaven.
She really was a force of nature! My mother, Frances Ramsey, worked alongside Miss George at BHS, et. al. as librarian, and Miss G taught 2 siblings and I 9th grade science along with LIFE lessons. A GREAT LADY!
Van- Fran and I will miss you I will cherish those third floor memories of BCP and Central as long as we live.
What a legend. She was such an inspiration and magnificent teacher to me. She always made me feel loved and seen. I will never forget her.
I will prayer for her family I am sorry for loss her she will be miss god bless all you sweetheart I love you hugs kiss I miss all you sweetheart thank you sweetheart
What an amazing life. Like so many of your students I want to say thank you. You made some many people better. We all felt like your favorite. You were an amazing gift to so many. God bless you. Love you.
What a legacy!
Van was my cousin and very close for as long as I can remember we loved her and she was a wonderful family interesting person close to all of us
She was one of a kind and memories of her will live on for years . Rest in peace and fly high with the angels.
I don’t have the proper words to express how I feel about the loss of Miss G. She lived a long and full life, and whomever wrote her obituary captured that. I am so thankful to have had her in my life for 52 years. I believe she taught me more during my adult life than she did when I was her high school student. Scott and I both loved her very much. May God bring peace and comfort to her loved ones..
I was one of the care givers to take care of Mrs. George, she was very sweet and kind I really enjoyed taking care of her. She had a great heart, she wanted things her way and that’s the we did it, she will always have a special place in my heart, she lived a great life and helped many and when it came time for her to taken care of she would say scared and nervous that’s what she would tell me I would try my best to calm her down then she fine the rest of the day. She would call me almost every day to found out who would going to take care of her and once I told her she would happy, she always told me (sorry to bother you) I would tell her your not bothering me at all. I will miss those calls from her I will miss her hearing her voice, she will deeply missed, I will never forget Mrs. George. She was never just a client to me I considered Mrs. George as family when she was alive and now that she is in heaven. Rest in peace Mrs. George you deserve the rest. You will always be missed. Gone you will never be forgotten. I love and miss you Mrs. George.
Truly a GREAT LADY!
I’m so glad she had you as one of her caregivers.