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Vanessa Cerise White Hayes, affectionally known as “Nessa,” started this earthly journey on July 3, 1959, and transitioned to her heavenly home on Wednesday, November 20, 2019, with her family by her side. Vanessa attended C. F. Vigor High School and furthered her education at Bishop State Community College. Her span of employment included over 20 years in the industrial sector, finally retiring as a domestic caregiver.

Vanessa joined Macedonia Baptist Church under the Rev. Elijah White. Later in life, she joined Liberty Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of the Rev. Clyde Maye Jr. There, she faithfully served on the Pastor’s Aid Board, the Women’s Ministry and managed the “Lord’s Kitchen,” providing bereavement services and consolation to hundreds of members over the years. She was a cherished member and established several friendships throughout the congregation. Her church family and their endeavors became second nature, and she delightfully reveled in worshipping with them.

Vanessa’s unprecedented willingness to serve, her conspicuous loyalty and dedication to “service” soon advanced to bereavement catering allowing others share in her preparations of love.

She is survived by her husband, Willie G. Hayes of 18 years; two devoted daughters, Ukecia “Nikki” White and LaBrandi Covey (Billy Jr.) McFadden, both of Mobile; devoted parents, Deacon and Mrs. Monroe, and Carolyn White of Prichard; four devoted sisters, Sharon Pickett, Varion (Levi) Eaton, Gabriel (Johnny) Johnson and Dr. Kim White (Bert, Jr.) Powell, all of Mobile; two brothers, Monroe (Gwendolyn) White Jr. of Houston, Texas and James Rembert of Mobile; two adopted siblings, Tylando White and Jacaila White of Mobile; three devoted grandchildren, Caroleshia “Kelly” (Marcus) White-Tower of Jackson, Miss. and Haleigh and Joshua McFadden of Mobile; three great-grandsons, DeSean Monroe White, Charleston Jeremiah White and Maycen Gabriel White-Tower of Jackson, Miss.; three devoted nieces, LaKindra Williams and LaKizzy White-Dickinson of Mobile, and Ashaunte (Adam) Gaillard-Bailey of Birmingham; five devoted nephews, Yarnell (Nanesha) Muttilib of Houston, Anthony (Christa) Crawford of Mobile, Treyon Crawford of Huntsville, Carlos Kim of Pensacola, Fla. and Midshipman-James L. Harris II, of Annapolis, Md.; a devoted great-niece, Carolyn (Sakiou) White-Bojang of Huntsville; a devoted great-nephew, Demetrius Kidd of Mobile; a devoted aunt, Joyce Williams; two devoted cousins, Nancy Regina Jackson of Roxbury, Mass. and Annie (Franklin) Ball of Birmingham; godmother, Zeola Marshall; a goddaughter, Mackensie Denard, both of Mobile; lifelong dedicated friends, Peggy Brockman of Sharon, Penn., Angela DuBose of Mobile, Deidre (John) Jones of Sterling Heights, Mich., Sarah Jackson and Vernisha Hall, both of Plateau-AfricaTown, Lisa (Charlie) Nobles, Yvettte Cowan-Hickenbottom, Patricia Ann Carroll, and Marilyn Watkins all of Mobile; devoted family units, The Cooper, Maye, McFadden, Williams-Johnson, Powell, Dickinson and Winbush families all of Mobile; special devoted friends, Daphne Jordan, Belva (Ray) McNeal, and the “Lord’s Kitchen” Staff all of Mobile, AL, and a host of other nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts, uncles, relatives, friends, and church members.