Ms. Vanessa “Nessa” Durant was born in Yonkers, NY on June 17, 1967 to the late Ms. Andrena Robinson. On Wednesday January 22, 2025, she accepted her victory in Jesus and transitioned peacefully.

Vanessa attended and graduated from Yonkers, NY Public Schools. She went on to further her education by receiving a degree in Occupational Studies, becoming a Certified Nursing Assistant, and a Certificate in Microsoft Word. She was employed by McLeod Hospital for over twenty plus years, where she was loved and well respected by many of her colleagues and coworkers.

Vanessa received the gift of the Holy Ghost while living in Yonkers, NY and later joined  Bethel Apostolic Church in 1988 after relocating to Florence, SC. As a dedicated and faithful member of  Bethel, Vanessa has served on many committees and in many capacities in the church. She was the first full time Secretary and a member of the Dr. UI McCall Memorial Choir, the Gospel Choir, the BAC Women’s Ministry, the Pastor’s Aide Committee, and the Louise’s Kitchen Committee.

Vanessa was preceded in death by her beloved mother, Ms. Andrena Robinson, her twin sons Kendrick and Kedrick, and her maternal grandmother Ms. Gerline Corbett.

Those left to cherish her loving memory are her two daughters Natosha (Andrew) Smith of San Antonio, TX and Kiera Durant of Tallahassee, FL; one brother Delano (Almeda) Graham of Florence, SC; one sister Tomeka (Tyrone) Blackwell of  Darlington, SC; five grandchildren Amira Smith, Andrew Smith, Jr., Aries Smith, Travis King and Serenity King; three aunts Berlyn (Leon) McPhail, Darlene (Lucius) Redden, and Theresa Corbett; four nieces Jessica Kerzner, Tierra Wingate, Dinah Zimmerman, and Zhy’Airiyah Blackwell; two nephews Kieron Blackwell and Jhy’ron Blackwell; one goddaughter Shaquanna Corbett; one godson Jonathan Mitchell; a host of extended family members; three close friends Ray Ann Smith, Shirley Wells, and David Walden, The Bethel Apostolic Church family, friends and coworkers.