Vanessa Vernell Hairston Manns, 71, of Walnut Cove, NC passed Tuesday, October 21, 2025. The family will receive friends from 1:00 pm – 1:30 pm Saturday, November 1st 2025 at New London Progressive Primitive Baptist Church 812 Broad St. Walnut Cove, NC. The “Celebration of Life” will begin at 1:30 pm with interment following at Fairview Cemetery, Walnut Cove, NC.

Public viewing will be held, Friday, October 31, 2025, from 1:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. at Perry-Spencer Funeral Home 402 Short Ave. Madison, NC.

Today we come together to celebrate the life of our precious love one, Vanessa Vernell Hairston Manns. She was born to the late John Henry Henry Hairston and Mary Ann Reynolds on December 24, 1953.

She attended London High School. Vanessa managed two apartment complexes in Walnut Cove for thirty seven years. She was a jack of all trades; whether fixing a sink, on a fishing bank, baking a pie or cake or sewing a garment from scratch, she did it all. Vanessa had a deep devotion to family that led her to care for several family members when they could no longer care4 for themselves. To know her was to love her, she had a magnetic energy that pulled you into her joyful ways of showing love. Vanessa joined New London Progressive Primitive Baptist Church at a very early age.

Vanessa was preceded in death by her parents; John Henry Hairston and Mary Ann Reynolds, one sister, Crystal Hairston Cobb, three brothers, Michael T. Graves, Preston Craig, John Gregory Grier and one grandson, Grant Morris.

She leaves behind to cherish her precious memories: one devoted daughter; MeOshi Manns. One loving granddaughter; Zonntta Manns (known to her MeMaw as Pootie Mary Jones). Two grandsons; James Rudy Thompson and James A. L. Thompson, two honorary daughters, Amanda Gail Jackson and Sophia Goolsby Welch, her siblings; Teresa P. Hill (Terrence), Kim Cush, Ron Tarkenton, Leonard Carter (Bo) and Tyrone Mitchell. Three honorary grandchildren; Brook Moore, Devonta Goolsby and Senara Johnson. Two honorary great grand children, Victoria Valentia and Alexis Lewis (known to her Big Mama as Beautiful) and a loving “sister” cousin Phyllis Hairston, one special niece, Tamara Conrad (known as Black Baby tohe4r Nessa) and one devoted bestie “sister” Belva Watkins. Vanessa made us all feel special and she will forever hold a special place in our heart.