Vanessa B. Pettyjohn, Sussex County retiree

Vanessa B. Pettyjohn, 66, of Millsboro, departed this life Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2023. She passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by her family and friends, after a courageous battle with cancer.

She was born Oct. 23, 1957, to the late Burl and Charlotte (Mosley) Pettyjohn in Milford.

Vanessa received her education in Milford School District, graduating in 1975. She soon after began her career with the Sussex County government, retiring after 46 years and one month Dec. 30, 2022. She was a dedicated employee, often having to sign in with security because she was at work way too early to use her badge for entry. She was the mother of the office and was torn when she decided to retire, feeling like she was leaving behind her babies.

If you knew Vanessa, retirement meant that she had to get a part-time job to go along with the rest of her well-planned activities. Vanessa worked in the cafeteria at Sussex Central High School as needed, preferably her two-day-a-week requirement that she had planned out years ago. She loved spending time with her friends going to the theater, shopping (absolutely loved to shop), journaling, art adventures, and whatever else she could find to do.

She was a member of the Millsboro Fire Company Ladies Auxiliary, recently being honored as a lifetime member. She loved her time with the auxiliary, whether it was working the road rally, flower drive, or the infamous egg order preparation. She was of the servant mindset and was always willing to lend a hand to anyone. Her daughter even coaxed her into helping with the catering business, which led to a newfound love of green beans and macaroni and cheese.

Vanessa loved her family, and if you were a friend, you also were family. Her cousins were her sisters and brothers. If she wasn’t with Peanut, Ronnie, Peaches, or Curt, she was with her friends. She often said she should be Pettyjohn-Hall, as she was a member of John and Bonnie Hall’s crew. She spent Christmas mornings with the Fletchers. She was truly loved by her family and friends.

Vanessa was a member of Millsboro Seventh Day Adventist Church. However, she often frequented their Salisbury sister location and also attended Zoar United Methodist Church in Millsboro. Vanessa’s faith was everlasting and carried her through her journey. She prayed for her family and friends, and even during her final days, she was seeking prayer for others in need.

In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her brother, Jerry Harmon.

She leaves to cherish loving memories, her daughter, Markishia Wise of Millsboro; niece, Nichelle (Rodney) Henderson of Bowie, Md.; nephews, Sean (Felicia) Harmon and Duane (Anissa) Harmon, all of Upper Marlboro, Md.; her close cousins, Estheleta Price, Veronica Pettyjohn, Elizabeth Pettyjohn, Prentice Banks and Curtis Dix; a host of cousins, dearest friends, nieces, and nephews.

A graveside service will be held at 1 p.m., Sunday, Jan. 7, at Mt. Zion AME Church Cemetery, 18211 Beach Hwy., Ellendale. Pastor David J. Thorpe Jr. will officiate.

Visit Vanessa’s Life Memorial webpage and sign her online guestbook at watsonfh.com.