Vanessa Ann Brinkley-King

Vanessa Ann Brinkley King was born in Nansemond County, Virginia on January 28, 1954. She went to be with the Lord on February 3, 2021 peacefully at her home. She was the fourth child of six siblings born to the late Benjamin Crocker Brinkley, Sr., and the late Maggie Solone Bryant Brinkley. She was educated in the Suffolk Public Schools and is a 1972 graduate of John F. Kennedy High School. Vanessa worked tirelessly in many roles at the Lipton Tea Company (Uni Lever), Suffolk location and retired after 32 years of service. There she acquired many lifelong friendships. After being retired for many years Vanessa decided to go back to work. She acquired a job at the Mighty Oak Christian Academy where she was called “Miss Vanessa”. She loved the children at the academy and called them her little babies. They bought so much joy to her life. “Nessa” as she is affectionately known to her family, loved life and her family. Throughout her life she was a warrior and was committed to family. At family gatherings, you could always depend on Nessa to make the potato salad. No matter how many times she showed you, no one could ever perfect her recipe. When talking to you and ending a conversation, Nessa always said, “Love You”. She made sure you knew she loved you. In addition to her parents, Vanessa was also preceded in death by her brother Alton Brinkley, sister-in-law Marsha H. Brinkley and her longtime dog and companion Luke. Vanessa’s loving memory will live on in her survivors, sons William L. Bailey (Idalia) of Harrisonburg, VA and Darrick M. King of Suffolk, VA; sisters Delores A. Boyette, Suffolk, VA and Margaret Young, Bronx, NY; brothers Benjamin C. Brinkley, Jr. (Rita), Suffolk, VA and Calvin Brinkley, Newport News, VA; Grandchildren Maya Ariyana Bailey-Sollers, Jaiden Moniqure Delk and Kennedi Airon Faulk; Uncles Alton Bryant (Sissy) Sunbury, NC, Wilbert C. Bryant, Suffolk, VA, and a host of nieces, nephews and friends who will miss her dearly. A visitation with family and friends will be held 11 a.m.-1:00p.m. Friday, February 12, 2021 in the Melvin J. Blowe Chapel. A graveside service will be held 2:00 p.m. Friday, February 12, 2021 in Carver Memorial Cemetery. Professional services with dignity have been entrusted to Crocker Funeral Home, Inc. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Vanessa Ann Brinkley-King, please visit our flower store.