Barbara Vankeuren

Barbara Jan Van Keuren, 91 of Cumming, Georgia, passed away on April 29, 2025 after a beautiful life. She was born on January 5, 1934 to Frank J. Evans and Johnnie Crutcher Evans in Russellville, Arkansas. After Jan’s graduation in 1952 from Collinsville High School in Illinois, she went on to study at Southern Illinois University where she met the love of her life, George Van Epps.

George and Jan went on to have four children, James H. Van Epps (Buff), John D. Van Epps, Vicky Ann Tavernier (Mark) and Sandra Elise Ossie (Jim). Together they raised their children in Country Club Hills, IL; Seward, AK; College Park, GA; Toccoa, GA; Bloomington MN; Arecibo, Puerto Rico; and Louisville, GA.

Jan had nine grandchildren, James Ryan Van Epps, Tiffany Anne Osmond, Rebekah Ansley Hoyt, Jason Fondrin Van Epps, John Cole Van Epps, Rachael Alia Appleby, Katie Marie Voyles, Max Jeffries Tavernier, and Lucy Elise Tavernier plus nine beautiful great grandchildren.

After completing several degrees from Southern Illinois University and Augusta College, Jan taught school for twenty-one years in the Louisville, GA public school system. After the death of her husband, George she later married Reverand LeGrand Abbie Van Keuren, Jr. and lived in Hilton Head, SC and Harlem, GA.

Jan was a member of the Episcopal Church of the Holy Spirit in Cumming, GA, but before that had served in Trinity Episcopal Church in Harlem, GA. She also was one of the founders of St. Mary Magdalene Episcopal Church in Louisville, GA. She had served as a Stephen Minister, was a lifetime member of the Order of the Daughters of the King, and served as a hospital chaplain in Augusta, GA. In addition, she sang with the Brandon Wilde Singers, the Columbia County Choral Society and the Augusta Choral Society.

Jan was a longtime member of the P.E.O. Sisterhood, which provides educational opportunities for women to receive higher education degrees through grants, scholarships and loans. Jan recently established the Jan Van Epps Van Keuren Chapter BT Scholarship Fund.

Jan was predeceased by her parents, her husband, George, her husband LeGrand, her son, John, her grandson, Cole, her grandson, Ryan and his family – Laura, James Ryan, and Harrison, and her brother, David and his son Rick. She is survived by three children and their loving families plus her brother John Evans (Ann), sister-in-law, Kathy Evans, and sister Becky Hitch (Bob) plus many nephews and nieces who loved her dearly.

A Celebration of Life will be held on June 21, 2025 at 2 P.M. at the Episcopal Church of the Holy Spirit 724 Pilgrim Mill Rd. Cumming, GA. Interment will be held at a later date at Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, D.C. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to Jan’s scholarship fund.