Name: Visitation for Edna Francis Van Poppel
Start: 2025-02-14T22:00:00.000Z
End: 2025-02-15T01:00:00.000Z
Location: Roberts of Ocala Downtown Chapel

Edna Francis Van Poppel (Carr), 71, of Ocala, Florida, passed away on February 5, 2025. She was born on November 13, 1953, in Bradenton, Florida to the late Frank Carr and Edna Johns. Edna graduated from Interlachen High School in 1971. Following high school, Edna earned a master's degree from the University of Florida. After receiving her degree, she pursued her passion for teaching. Edna taught Mathematics at Vanguard High School for 35 years. She also taught Algebra II Honors and ran the IB Program for students preparing to go to college. She is survived by her husband of 31 years, Alois T Van Poppel and her brother, Charles North. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, great-grand-nieces and great-grand-nephews. A Visitation will be held on Friday, February 14, 2025, from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM, with the Service starting at 7:00 PM, at Robert's of Ocala Funeral Home, 606 SW 2nd Ave, Ocala, Florida 34471. The Graveside Service will be held on Saturday, February 15, 2025, at 12:30 PM at Friendship Baptist Church, 5700 Palmer Blvd, Sarasota, Florida 34232. Donations in honor of Edna can be made to the Hospice of Marion County. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Roberts of Ocala.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by 352 Today on Feb. 12, 2025.

Memories and Condolences
for Edna Van Poppel

7 Entries

Lee Morrison

February 14, 2025

EVP was an incredibly kind (and patient!) teacher, always ready to help when needed. She could teach you mathematics and make you laugh at the same time. EVP's sixth period math class in 2014-15 was one of my favorites from high school. A wonderful woman, she will be missed.

Melissa Joiner

February 14, 2025

EVP was one of the most brilliant women I have known in my life. When I became the IB Coordinator, she would help me in many ways, offering me encouragement and advice! I will always treasure our 6:00 a.m. chats in my office! My career and my life are richer for having her as my friend!

John Ghannam

February 13, 2025

Mrs. Van Poppel was truly a light, icon, and legend of Vanguard High School. Her jokes and infectious personality always lit up a room. She was always able to transform some of the most challenging subjects into much easier material and concepts. She continuously inspired us to work hard and be the best we could be. She will truly be missed.

Ashton Beard

February 12, 2025

Mrs. Van Poppel marked my life for the better. I had the privilege of being one of her students at Vanguard High School, and as the years have gone by, I believe myself fortunate enough to have called her my friend.

EVP (as we affectionately called her) cared deeply for all her students. We weren't just kids she wanted to pass -- we were young people she wanted to see thrive. I will never forget her kindness and her (sometimes sassy) sense of humor. She loved well, worked with excellence, and inspired me to do the same. She thought she was teaching math, but God always had bigger and better plans, and for that, and for her, I am grateful.

Samantha Ingram

February 12, 2025

If I have done my math correctly, with today's classroom model (6 classes, approximately 30 students per class, for 35 years) Mrs. Van Poppel cared for around 6,300 students. I was known to be in the "dumb" track of IB and that meant I had Mrs. Van Poppel for 3 years straight. I will never forget sitting in her class and listening to the phone ring and her completely ignoring it. The tone of that phone never phased her but us students would just stare in disbelief. She would tell us, "If it is an emergency they will get ahold of me" and sure enough they would beep in or there would be a knock on the door. "Excuse me so-and-so is going home".

After high school, I went off to college and struggled to understand my math professors because they just didn't teach it like Mrs. Van Poppel. There was no transparencies or her working out each problem with us. So I emailed Mrs. Van Poppel and asked her if she would help me pass my college math class. She responded and invited me to her house! I couldn't believe it. I showed up to her home and asked her to teach me Algebra from the beginning and she just smacked her forehead and said, "have I failed you?" I clepped out of Algebra the next day.

After college I decided to become an educator. As, I was preparing to pass the General Knowledge Test there was no one else that could remind me of what I already knew. So I reached out to Mrs. Van Poppel again, and she prepared me to take the Math portion of the GK. I passed it the next week.

I'll never forget I bought a house and invited Mrs. Van Poppel and Mrs. Baker over to see it. In my excitement I failed to mention I was cooking them dinner. I prepared chili for them. Mrs. Van Poppel sat down to eat and told me she had been a vegetarian for years. She politely ate that chili and told me it was very good. I am certain it was not.

Mrs. Van Poppel is the picture of what a powerful educator can be. She influenced my life in so many ways. Did I learn to text without looking in her class? Absolutely! But I also learned that I can do math well. I learned how to be a good educator myself by being a student in her class. She was consistent, she was kind, she was passionate about math, and she cared about you as a student and as a person. She will be incredibly missed! I aspire to have the influence she had with her students on my students. I'm so thankful we will see her again!

Judy Maglio Williams

February 12, 2025

Edna was a wonderful colleague and teacher. Her friendly manner, helpfulness and caring spirit will be a lasting memory. Edna will be missed by so many people she touched in her lifetime.

Victoria Sexton

February 12, 2025

Mrs. Van Poppel was an absolute joy and a legendary woman. Over 35 years of teaching, I know there are hundreds (maybe thousands? That´s a long time!) of students who can say that she had a positive impact on their schooling and in their lives.

One of my favorite memories with her was in 2012, when she and Mr. Lankford were in on a little joke together. I recorded a country CD and in one song I sang about "daydreaming in my math class". Well, they thought it would be a great idea to broadcast my song on the intercom for the whole school to hear!

I remember the mischievous little grin on her face when she told me I was in a lot of trouble for not paying attention in class, my heart sank! Then, moments later the song came on and it all made sense!

What a great day that was, and I thank her for her the wonderful memories and dedicated guidance. She will be missed by so many.

Showing 1 - 7 of 7 results