It is with great sorrow we announce the passing of Vanessa Corley on September 27, 2021 at 23 years old. Vanessa was born August 3, 1998 in Channelview, Texas to her parents, John David Corley and Kimberly Denise Corley. She was taken away too soon, and our hearts are broken.

She graduated from Northbrook High School, and was incredibly blessed to earn countless scholarships to attend college.

When she was a baby, she would not talk, and Nana Corley and Aunt Bev thought she needed speech counseling. Daddy said, “NO, she just has nothing to say right now.” About four months later, she started speaking and she never stopped.

Vanessa was one of a kind. She always helped others and would always give her very best advise to others, but not to herself. Eventually, she did take her own advice.

Vanessa was an only child for a long time, then Alexis came and, at first, she was a little upset. She wasn’t the baby anymore. But soon, she took Alexis under her wing and taught her everything. I knew as I watched her with Alexis that she would be a great mother, and she was.

She really loved her Aunt Kim. She was very special to Vanessa, and she was a huge part of Vanessa’s life. She was like a second mother to her. She could tell her anything and she felt safe. Vanessa loved her whole family, but she had two favorites: her baby sister, Alexis Maria Corley, and her aunt, Kimberly Ann Francis.

She loved to spend time with her friends, being in her room with herself, and loved to play “Would You Rather?” with her friends. She also loved to sing and liked to make videos of herself.

Vanessa is survived by her mother, Kimberly Corley; her grandparents, Diane and Les Hornung, and Donna and Roger Corley; her son Mikey Bena; sisters Heather and Alexis Corley; and her aunt, Kimberly Francis.

She is preceded in death by her father, John Corley; her son, Devin Bena Jr.; and her uncle, Leslie Francis Hornung III.

Memorial services will be held at a later date.

Vanessa was a true soldier, and she will be missed by many. Our hearts will not be the same without her. She was special in so many ways. May you rest in peace.