Vanessa S. Jackson

Vanessa Star Jackson was born on October 9, 1959 to James D. and Barbara Jean Jackson in Mount Vernon, NY as a premature baby girl weighing only 4lbs 8oz. After staying in the hospital for a while, she eventually came home weighing 5lbs 2oz. Vanessa was a good and happy baby. Her crib was on her mother’s side of the bed as Vanessa was a good sleeper. As a new baby Vanessa never cried at night. She was very special to Barbara, especially since Vanessa was her firstborn.

Vanessa, also known as Nessa or Nessy Cat, grew up to become a hard worker who landed good paying jobs as an accountant/bookkeeper. She was a fun-loving big sister who loved to dress, loved her music, and especially loved to dance. Vanessa had a beautiful smile and took tons of pictures. She was also known for being a good cook. While spending time in North Carolina with family, she developed her cooking skills by spending time in the kitchen with her Aunt Edna. One of her specialties was chicken and dumplings. Or, as southerners say, pastry.

As an adult Vanessa always told people that she had two brothers, James and Andre Jackson, who were always good to her and were there for her when she needed them.

She had a love for her family and people in general. Vanessa always called to check on a family member just to say hello if she hasn’t heard from them in a while or, if she learned that someone was hurt or sick. She would end all of her conversations by saying, “I love you.”

Vanessa was also a loving mother who gave birth to a beautiful baby girl, Taylor Morgan Johnson, born on January 28, 1997. She loved to call Taylor her “Moo Bear.” In the morning, she would always feed Taylor grits along with her baby food. That was the South coming out of her. When Taylor was in school, Vanessa would always come to support her during special school events such as field day and talent shows that Taylor participated in. She was a true friend to her daughter. Taylor’s fondest memory of her mother was of her making Taylor’s favorite Sunday dinner – fried chicken, baked ‘Mac and Cheese,’ and cabbage. Vanessa was very much looking forward to meeting and spending time with her new grandson, Amir Tayvon Johnson-Jones, who was born March 30, 2022.

Vanessa loved to learn about the Bible and Jehovah. She was committed to attending her meetings and she actively participated by giving very meaningful and well thought-out comments. During the pandemic Vanessa not only attended her own Greenwich congregation, but via Zoom, she also visited congregations of her relatives who live in North Carolina, Florida, and California. Vanessa felt very close to her aunts Edna, Helen, and Nancy; as well as to her uncle Sylvester, along with all of her cousins.

She is survived by her mother Barbara Jean Jackson, of Greenwich, CT; two brothers, James Kenneth Jackson and his wife Amy Jackson of Fairfield, CT, Curtis Andre Jackson of Greenwich; her daughter, Taylor Morgan Johnson of Stamford, CT; her grandson, Amir Tayvon Johnson-Jones of Stamford, CT; her uncle Sylvester Bennett, Jr. and his wife Gloria Bennett of Pembroke Pines, FL; her aunt Nancy Lee Bennett of Clinton, NC; her nephews, Jordan C. Jackson and his wife Natasha Jackson of Bridgeport, CT, Javan J. Jackson of Fairfield, CT; a niece Alexus K. Jackson of Fairfield, CT; and a host of cousins.

Friends and family are invited to pay their respects on Saturday, April 30 from 1-2pm at the Spear-Miller Funeral Home, 39 South Benson Road, Fairfield, CT. A memorial Talk will begin at 2pm.