Early Wednesday morning on May 23, 2018, our Father in Heaven summoned his Angels to call his good and faithful servant, Vanessa Imani Gordon, from labor to reward.
Vanessa was born on February 9, 1959, in Newark, NJ to the late Thelma and Eric Gordon. She graduated from Saint Vincent Academy in 1977 and completed her BA: Commercial Arts at New Jersey City University in 1985. Before becoming a teacher, expressing herself through art was her first love. She often dreamed of being a professional artist one day. Due to the high demand for Special Education Teachers at the time, Vanessa proceeded to study Special Education at Norfolk State University and graduated with her Bachelors in 1995. She graduated with her Masters of Education in 1998 and completed studies to become a Reading Specialist in 2015. Vanessa was a firm believer in the power of a good education. This belief lead her to a twenty-plus year career of teaching in the Norfolk and Virginia Beach Public School Systems.
Vanessa was previously married for a period of fourteen years, from that union two sons were born that she adored, treasured, and raised to be respectful gentlemen. She named them John-Eric and Menfield Lee, who were named respectfully after their Father Johnnie Lee Hearns and Grandfather Eric Menfield Gordon.
Vanessa was a previous member of Bethany Baptist Church (Chesapeake, VA), under the late Reverend Jake Manley. There she was an active member of the Mass Choir. Vanessa later became a member of First Baptist Church South Hill (Chesapeake, VA). She attended church faithfully, enjoyed singing in the choir, and participating in the various concert engagements held by the Church. In her leisure time she loved cooking and entertaining family and friends at her home, going on cruises, reading, writing, drawing and of course a good movie or TV show. She would often burst in excitement while sharing feedback on her favorite shows.
Vanessa was a very independent and business minded woman who took care of all her responsibilities and addressed any obstacles life threw at her head on. She continued to do so even as her health started to decline. Even in her illness, she remained strong in her faith, steadfast and unmovable knowing that God was always in control.
Vanessa is survived by her two sons John-Eric Hearns (Portsmouth, VA) and Menfield Hearns (Virginia Beach, VA). One sister, Marcia Dula (Phillip) and niece Thelma. She also shared a very special bond with her cousins Donna and Toni Curvin, Bobby Gordon, Brian Parker and a host of other close family and friends.
Vanessa was a very pleasant and welcoming person who enjoyed good conversation, good times, good people and life itself. She left a great legacy and will be sorely missed by everyone who had the pleasure of meeting her. She was kind hearted but had no problem standing up for what she thought was right and speaking her mind. She was a great friend, colleague, and family member. Most importantly she was an EXCELLENT Mother who gave her all to her sons. We all love you and miss you but will never forget you!