Rae Etta Johnson was born on January 1, 1931, in Las Cruces, New Mexico. She attended schools in many different states as a result of travel with her family during the Great Depression. Her fondest memories were of working on a ranch in Arizona and living in Wichita, Kansas. Employment opportunities led the family to settle in Cedarville, where she graduated from Bridgeton High School in 1949. She worked for the Millville Board of Education as a secretary for the high school and eventually as a receptionist for the superintendent, retiring in 1997. Rae Etta met and married Charles John in 1952. Their first year of married life was spent in Bermuda, where Charles served in the US Coast Guard.

Many people will remember Rae Etta not only as the greeting face of the Millville Board of Education, but also as Tangiers in Troupe Raks Sahara, a Middle Eastern dance company. She performed for 35 years in various locations from Florida to New York. In addition to dance, she designed costumes, choreographed recitals, and managed event schedules.

She loved her family and took great pride in their achievements. Rae Etta is predeceased by her brother Amos Austin, two sisters Alice Galle and Mary Sanza, and her husband Charles. She is survived by her daughter Vicki Yeager, granddaughter Kate Volpe, and a sister Madeleine Sheppard.

A graveside service will be held privately at Greenwood Memorial Park, Millville, NJ. Memories of Rae Etta and condolences for her family may be shared on her tribute wall.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Institute of American Indian Arts, PO Box 22370, Santa Fe, NM 87502

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