Obituary of Vanessa Bertha Flournoy

Vanessa Bertha Flournoy passed away peacefully surrounded by her loved ones, Thursday night, October 17, 2013, at her home in Palmyra, NJ. Vanessa was the second eldest child of the late Chief Payton Isaac and Ivie Mae Flournoy. She was born in Cooper Hospital, Camden, NJ and resided in Palmyra. Vanessa often said she "grew up at the best time, in the best town, and had the perfect childhood" with wonderful memories of Brownies, Girl Scouts, 4th of July fireworks off the Delaware River, and family trips to Willow Grove Amusement Park. Weekly trips packed in the family station wagon with her parents, sisters, and brothers to Atlantic City were the highlight of every summer. Vanessa was educated at Sacred Heart Elementary School in Riverton, NJ and graduated from Holy Cross High School in Delran, NJ in 1970. She spent one year at Douglass College in New Brunswick before transferring to and joining her twin, Valerie, at Hobart and William Smith Colleges in Geneva, NY, where she played field hockey and basketball. Upon graduation in 1974, Vanessa worked in education, advertising and attended Syracuse University for business. After a brief vacation to San Francisco to visit friends, Vanessa returned to the east coast, promptly packed her bags, and moved to San Francisco where she resided for ten years. While living in San Francisco, Vanessa blossomed. She made many wonderful new friends and developed a love of travel. She enjoyed sending postcards from her adventures: housesitting in Palm Springs, Tahoe, Reno, Las Vegas, Montana, Hawaii, Germany and France. Vanessa returned to New Jersey briefly in 1990 to be with her ailing father, Payton, who predeceased her in 1991. In 1992, she returned to her beloved hometown for good to be closer to her siblings and ailing mother, Ivie, who predeceased her in 2008. From her father, Vanessa developed a love of community service participating in the Palmyra Business Alliance and the nonprofit Palmyra cares. She ran for town council several times but ultimately said her most fulfilling and rewarding experience was when she was elected to serve on the Palmyra Board of Education. From her mother, Vanessa developed a love of books and reading. She was the author of several books: All-American Girl, a young adult paperback published in the 80's and Celie and the Harvest Fiddler, a children's picture book she co-authored with her sister, Valerie. She also worked as a freelance book editor and book reviewer. Vanessa continued her walk with God when she joined St. Paul U.A.M.E. Church, Palmyra, NJ where she received the love and warmth of a wonderful church family. Vanessa leaves to celebrate her life, the "love of her life", Bruce Jackson; her sister, Celeste "Bernie", twin sister, Valerie; brothers, Payton Jr. "Chipper" and Timothy as well as, her adopted sister, Jean Wainwright and her special brother, Bobby Jones. Also left to reminisce and celebrate her memory are cousins, extended family members and friends throughout the United States too numerous to mention.