Vanessa Hammonds

BUTTERFLY. That's the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Vanessa. What closely follows is sweet, kind, understanding, and honest. These are the reasons she was loved.

You could tell her your deepest secrets and share your most embarrassing moments but leave every conversation feeling whole again. This is what big sisters are for. This iswhat she was for us. This is what we've lost.

Vanessa was the first daughter of eight children born to Jessie Mae & Theodore (both no longer with us): Anthony,-, DeEdward (no longer with us), Kevin, RoyLynn,Melonie, Jeanine (no longer with us), and Sheri. She hailed from St. Louis, Missouri, the roots of which never left her.

Fittingly, Vanessa, one of eight siblings, went on to have eight children herself: Lawrence, Toiswan, Dominique (no longer with us), Bianca, Ashley, Daniel, Paige, London, and honorary son Marlon. What I cannot list are the many grandchildren and the few great-grandchildren she was blessed to have and know, the total being 31 and her nieces and nephews, totaling 43 (including greats). Along with these are an extended family by way of St. Louis, Illinois, and California, some of whom are here with us today.

Summing Vanessa up is not an easy task because she had so many talents...singer, dancer, poet, writer, photographer, designer... could go on but these are the ones that come to mind when you think of her.

When we lost our mother, Vanessa was the one who picked up the torch as Matriarch of this family, and she embraceo her new role with grace and unconditional love. She took care of us all our lives. I remember telling her it's like she was born as an adult and not a child because she was always there for each one of us.

It seems the world is not as bright without her in it and although it's difficult to go on we will, she made us promise her this. We will move past this because of the people we have all become because of her presence in our lives. She made this day bearable by taking the responsibility of planning it for us. I don't know anyone else with this kind of strength. It's the last and greatest gift she gave us.

Having the honor of writing these words of remembrance for our dear sister is the one gift no one wants to open but because of the strength she gave me, I managed to get through it.

We thank everyone who took the time necessary to travel and share this moment with us, you are all loved and appreciated, but mostly we want to thank our Grand Creator, Jehovah, for blessing this family with this remarkable woman and incredible sister/sister Vanessa Marie Hammonds.

We can't wait to see you again in Paradise!