Vanessa Thomas Ford

We have gathered here today, on this day, July 15th, 2025, to mourn the peaceful passing of Vanessa Thomas Ford, but also to celebrate the life of a wonderful soul who touched so many with her giving heart and warm smile. As she transitions into the next phase of her life, she will be comforted and accompanied by her Lord, Jesus Christ, and her sisters—Myra, Clorretta, Rochelle—and her oldest brother, George. She leaves behind two younger siblings, Calvin and Anthony. She is also survived by her next of kin, Lamont Thomas, and his siblings—Darnel, Asia, Micheal, and Marquis—as well as a host of first and second cousins, great nieces, and great nephews. Aunt "Nanny," as she was known, also has 13 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren, whom she will be watching over from heaven.

Mrs. Thomas raised her children as a single mother while working as a home health aide at the Young Adult Institute of NYC. It wasn't until 1996 that fate took its course—she met, fell in love with, and married a man named Charles Stanley Ford. Mrs. Ford sought a fresh start, and in 2002, she moved her family to Goldsboro, NC. As she adjusted to her new surroundings, she attended and excelled at Wayne Community College. After graduating with honors, "Aunt Nanny" stayed to assist the school by mentoring younger students as a math tutor. Soon after, she pursued further education and earned her bachelor's degree in Childhood Education from the prestigious University of Mount Olive.

As the years passed, she became a staple in her community—always there for her family and friends. Whether babysitting her grandchildren, helping friends with advice, or assisting with schoolwork, she was always willing to lend a helping hand. Unfortunately, her health gradually declined, and she spent much of 2014 through 2017 in and out of hospitals. However, she recovered as she always did and moved back to the city to be there for her siblings during the tragedies brought by the COVID-19 pandemic. Dealing with the pain and devastation of losing close family and friends, Mrs. Vanessa once again found herself in and out of hospitals, trying to maintain her health.

With her daughter by her side, they moved to Norfolk, VA, to focus on restoring her health, while she was making her way back to her second home in Goldsboro, NC, to be with her beloved grandchildren. On June 6th, 2025, at approximately 11:05 p.m., Nanny lost her battle with health ailments and peacefully joined her sisters and their Heavenly Father.

We will miss you dearly. (Mrs. Thomas, Ms. Vanessa, Nan, Nanny, Aunt Nanny, Mom, Mommy, Mother—gone but not forgotten.)