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Obituary for VANESSA L. SMITH
Vanessa Lorraine Smith was born on September 23, 1960 to the late Thomas Smith and Stella Louise Tyler (Hurley) in Calvert County, Maryland. She departed her natural life and entered into her eternal life on Thursday, August 2, 2018.
Vanessa was the first born of three siblings to Stella. She was later joined by seven additional siblings. She received her primary education in the Calvert County public school system. In 1978 she graduated from Northern Senior High School, Owings, MD.
Vanessa loved, gave honor, praised, and worshipped Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! In the midst of the doctors informing her that her heart was failing and she was going to die, Vanessa said, “I shall live and not die.” The doctors interpret that to mean a natural death but she was referring to the Spirit. The doctors were amazed to witness the alertness and clarity of her mind; how she could clearly understand and articulate her desires without wavering. One doctor was heard saying, “It is remarkable how well she appears knowing what we know is going on inside.” In her last moments with her mother Stella, as her spirit was leaving her body, she was singing and praising God. She told her mother she was going to see her father, Jesus. With uplifted hands she raised up praising God saying, “Thank you, Jesus, yes Father, I am coming Lord.” In a world where everybody is looking for a miracle, that was a miracle. Vanessa faced death head on knowing her destination. There is victory even in death. Vanessa received the Victory!
Vanessa was known as “Nessa, Nooby, Nessy, Ness Ness,Van, and V.” She was a quiet and reserved child growing up. When she was tickled about something, here shoulders would jump up and down uncontrollably. When she agreed with you, she would pop her eyes in your direction and say, “OKAY, OKAY.” She used to say, “Don’t keep looking at your past; should of, could of, would of; God is a restorer of moments. The years don’t matter, they cannot compare to the restored moments God can give us.” She could make a mean carrot cake and candied yams.
Vanessa was a faithful member of Bethel Way Of The Cross Church since 1975 where she accepted the Lord as her Savior and was baptized. She later received the precious gift of the Holy Ghost. She was blessed under the leadership of Bishop Jacob A. Green, Bishop Allen H. Easton, and Bishop Darnell L. Easton. She served as Assistant Secretary, Secretary, and on various ministries such as Angelic Voices, Youth Choir, Sisterhood Choir, Usher Board, Intermediate Choir, Women of Excellence, and Retreat Committee where she served for 18 years. Missionary Vanessa was a faithful student of Christian Education. She became a member of Bethel’s Missionary Board in March 2004 where she served faithfully.
Vanessa leaves to cherish in her memories, her beloved mother, Stella Louise Hurley (Daniel-deceased; Thomas Smith-deceased); seven sisters and two brothers. Naomi Stratton (William), Gussie Griffin (Douglas-deceased), Debbie Brooks (Jerome), Denikka Brown, Darlene Wills, Joyce Ann Edmonds, Sheila Smith-Claggett, Elvis Hurley (Sherri-deceased), and Nathaniel Hurley (Barbara); three aunts, Gloria Mae Jones, Olivia Jones, and Cora Smith; best friend, LoraLee (Doll) Jones, four god children, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
