Evangeline "Vange" Johnson

Evangeline "Vange" Johnson, 94, of Deltona, Florida, passed away peacefully on October 1, 2025. Vange was born on April 1, 1931, in Brooklyn, New York, the first child of Jose Nicholas and Delores (Rios) Robles, and the eldest of four siblings, Miriam, Ferdinand, and Ceasar. As an infant, her family moved to Puerto Rico due to health issues. At age ten, she and her family returned to New York, where she would later graduate from Franklin K. Lane High School in Brooklyn. A lifelong lover of art, Vange attended several art schools and also worked for the United Nations, leaving a mark of creativity and dedication wherever she went.
In Washington, D.C., Vange met Thomas O. Johnson, and the two were married in September 1957. Together, they attended Columbia Bible College, and Thomas's calling as a pastor led the family on a journey of their Christian faith and service across the country. Their first son, Eric, was born before the family moved to Pasadena, California, where Bruce would join them. Nathan, their youngest, was born in Wakefield, Nebraska. Over the years, the Johnson family would call Iowa, Illinois, Michigan, and Florida home.
In Miami, Vange worked for Rep. John Francis Cosgrove and the City of Miami before retiring in 1995. She and Tom opened their home for Bible study classes for many years, welcoming friends and neighbors to share fellowship, encouragement, and faith. Vange devoted herself to nurturing her family while living her faith fully, always finding ways to lift Jesus up wherever she went. After retirement, she and Tom lived in Sebring, Florida, before moving to Deltona. Following Tom's passing in 2018, Vange remained engaged in art, scripture, politics, and current events, finding joy and purpose in each day. She always wanted to know what President Trump was up to next to make America Great Again! Before she went home to be with Jesus, her husband, family and close friends on Yom Kippur she stated to one of hers sons that "The truth is: forget the future and live right now."
Vange's life was a testament to faith, love, and service. She adored scripture, art, cooking, and healthy living, and she will be remembered as a devoted wife, loving mother, adoring grandmother, caring sister, and cherished eldest sibling. Her legacy lives on in the love, strength, and guidance she shared generously with everyone she knew. Evangeline truly lived her life as a Light for Christ everywhere she went and fulfilled what Jesus said on the Sermon on the Mount where He says, "You are the Light of the world.and let your light shine before others." One of her favorite verses is Proverbs 27:17 "As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another."
She is survived by her children, Eric T. (Maria) Johnson, Bruce A. (Rhonda) Johnson, and Nathan (Melody) Johnson; her grandchildren, Rachel (Marcus) Ramirez, Jacob (Amelia) Johnson, Heather Johnson, Brhon Johnson, Zachariah Johnson, Zoe Johnson, Seth Johnson, Cassia Johnson, Sarene Johnson, Shannon (Zachery) Kirkland, Nicholas Johnson, and Chase R. Johnson.
Vange was welcomed into heaven by her husband, Thomas O. Johnson; her granddaughter, Saren; her parents, Jose Nicholas and Delores (Rios) Robles; her siblings, Miriam, Ferdinand, and Caesar, as well as her family, the pets, and a whole army of saints!
The Johnson family kindly requests that memorial donations be made to Little Lambs, 710 S. Eucalyptus Street, Sebring, FL 33870.