Vanessa Vejohn Emerson September 26, 1962 – February 3, 2024

Vanessa was born the sixth of seven children to the union of Rev. Granville Emerson, Sr., and Anna B. Rivers.

Growing up in a Christian home led her to accept God as her Lord and Savior at an early age. Vanessa was a long-standing member of Star Bethel Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Rev. Grover Sanders. She attended Sharples Junior High and graduated from Franklin High School. After high school she attended Broadway Beauty School where she received her Cosmetology License. During her career as a hairdresser, she mostly worked from home (yours or hers), and at various salons including Virgie’s Beauty Salon and Hair by Gina. Vanessa continued her cosmetology career until 2018.

Vanessa believed in the Lord with all her heart and lived her life praising and worshiping Him. She led a full life complete with joy, pain, sunshine, and rain. She never let go of God’s unchanging hand. Her name, “Vanessa” means Butterfly, and on February 3rd 2024, she took flight having built her hopes on things eternal. She passed from this life surrounded by loved ones singing and praising God in her room. She is now ‘walking around heaven all day.’

Those remaining to cherish her memory include her mother Anna Rivers, children Bruce Williams, Jr., Qiara, Dennis, and Ronisha Jones, siblings Gwendolyn Parker (Robert), Linda Franklin, Lavita Alston, Lori Emerson, Granville Emerson, Jr., and Debbie Emerson Carter (Pete), 9 grandchildren, 8 nieces and nephews as well as 7 uncles and aunts, numerous cous-ins, and friends.

Services for Vanessa’s home-going celebration will be held Thursday, February 22, 2024. Viewing- 10 am, Service- 11 am, Holy Temple Evangelistic Center, 12600 Renton Avenue South, Seattle WA 98178.

Final arrangements entrusted to Serenity Funeral Home & Cremation, 451 SW 10th St., #111, Renton, WA 98057