Vanessa Louise Walker was born on August 12, 1961, to the late Joe Edward Walker and Alice Alberta Walker Short. She was also preceded in death by her stepfather, Clarence Short; grandparents, Cleveland Boyd, Mary Jenkins, Joseph Jenkins, Sr., Robert Walker, Flossie Walker Chapman and Robert Chapman.

Vanessa was a proud 1979 graduate of Petersburg High School, where she participated in the Spotlight Talent Program and served as a member of the cheerleading squad throughout her high school years. Continuing her educational journey, she earned an Associate of Science degree in Management from Hagerstown Junior College in 1996 and later received a Bachelor of Science degree in Management from Park College in 1999.

Immediately following graduation, Vanessa enlisted in the United States Army. After twenty years of honorable and dedicated service, she retired in 1999 with the rank of Sergeant First Class. During her military career, her duty stations included Wiesbaden, Germany; SHAPE, Belgium; Headquarters Company in Panama; Fort Huachuca, AZ; Fort Ritchie, MD; Fort Hood, TX; Georgia Tech; and Howard University.

Following her military retirement, Vanessa continued her service through Civil Service employment and retired in January 2024 from Fort Gregg-Adams, formerly known as Fort Lee.

In her early childhood, Vanessa attended Bethesda Bibleway Church under the leadership of Bishop John S. Bean. Upon returning from military service, she occasionally attended Star of Hope Bibleway Church under the leadership of Pastor Arlie L. Lindsey, Jr. She later united with Gravel Run Baptist Church under the leadership of Reverand Dr. Larry Brown, Sr., where she faithfully served on the Missionary Board until her health declined.

Vanessa leaves to cherish her loving memory: a devoted niece, Tyler Walker-Curry; her sisters, Suzette Walker and Paula Walker (David "Scotty" Lee); brother, Terrance "Tony" Walker (Deborah Walker); stepsisters, Latonya Wiggins, Christine Wiggins and Sandrell Short; nieces, Krystal Walker, Whitney Walker, Latosha Boyd, Jhanae Short, Dominique Hawley, Brandon Hawley, Marquetta Briggs, Nadine Wiggins, Unique Hazelwood, Jasmine Wiggins, Jovonda Wiggins, Shaundra Sturdifen and Samaiyah Short; nephews, Raykwan Short, KeAndre Perry, Jakim Wiggins, Ricardo Hazelwood, Jr., Reggie Chestnut and Sherron Sturdifen; great niece, Jordyn Walker; and great nephews, Jaylen Walker and Devin Walker.

She also leaves behind Deborah Raines, Norman Walker, Keith Walker, and Pernell Walker, who were more like siblings than cousins; her extended Short family; aunts, Hattie Mitchell, Mildred Myrick (Dozier) and Shirley Hill (Roy); and her uncle, Joe N. Watson.

Vanessa will also be lovingly remembered by her devoted relatives and friends: Nellie Chislom, Monique Chislom, Nikki Chislom, Wanda Davis, Erick Hickman, Milton Ennis, James Grier, Vicky Maye, Theresa Woods, the Petersburg High School Class of 1979, John Trammell, Sandy Burden, Gloria Pettiford, Phobe Wyatt, Herbert Winchester, Robert Dockery, Charles Harris and Lewis Graham; her cherished inner circle, Daisy Taylor, Dessie Mills, Linda Faye Williams, Deborah Singleton, Pam Jackson, Gina Wilson, Lois Malone, KaTyca Cathright, Gloria Smith, Carla Branch, Tracey Davis, and Renee Morris, Lisa Lewis, Elva Washington and Demetria Barnes, Vonda Morgan, Ramona Birchett and Dorothy Morris; as well as a host of family members, friends, and co-workers too numerous to name.

The family extends special thanks to Gentiva Hospice, the Staff at the Veterans Health Administration, and Deborah Raines for the exceptional care, love, and kindness shown to Vanessa during her illness. A heartfelt thank you is also extended to Karen Lewis for the wonderful meals prepared for the family, and especially to her Gravel Run Church Family for the love, support, prayers and guidance shown to Vanessa during her lifetime.

Services will be held 2:00 P.M., Saturday, May 23, 2026, at Gravel Run Baptist Church, 12512 Duncan Road, North Dinwiddie, VA, the Rev. Dr. Larry D. Brown, Sr., Pastor and officiant, the Rev. Pinkie Hill, eulogist. The interment to follow at Dinwiddie Memorial Park.

J. M. Wilkerson Funeral Establishment, Inc., 102 South Avenue, Petersburg, VA, (804) 732-8911, www.jmwilkersonsince1874.com. Watch the funeral services live online on our J. M. Wilkerson Funeral Establishment, Inc. Facebook page or click here to view: https://vimeo.com/event/5950920?fl=so&fe=fs