Vanessa Tolliver

Vanessa Tolliver went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, June 27, 2023, after a long illness.

Vanessa was born to Mattie and Joseph Tolliver on August 29, 1955, in Akron, Ohio. She was the younger sister of Veeneenea (“Nina”) Williams.

Vanessa attended Grace Elementary (1961-67) and West Junior High (1967-70) in Akron, Ohio. In 1973, she graduated from Our Lady of the Elms High School. Thereafter, she went on to attend The Ohio State University, in Columbus, Ohio, where she majored in biology and received a Bachelor of Science degree. After graduation, she made Columbus her home.

Vanessa worked her entire career for the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR). Although she was classified as a geologist for the State, she primarily worked as a hydrologist for ODNR. At the time of her retirement, she had worked for the Department for thirty years.

An avid reader, Vanessa loved books of all kinds, but she was a particular fan of biographies and history books. She also loved science fiction, television, movies, and a good meal. Vanessa was a skilled knitter, and she had a genuine appreciation for handmade arts and crafts. Her background in geology also gave her an appreciation for precious stone jewelry.

Incredibly community-minded and service-oriented, throughout her life, Vanessa was deeply involved in the churches she attended as well as in her larger community. From 1995 to 2003, she served two four-year terms as Secretary-Treasurer for the Ohio Civil Service Employees Association (OCSEA / AFSCME Local 11), the largest public employee labor union in the State of Ohio, which represented state, county, and local government employees. As one who recognized the importance and privilege of the right to vote, she organized voter registration opportunities in the community, and she regularly encouraged people to vote.

Vanessa was a member of Asbury North United Methodist Church in Columbus. At Asbury North, she served and was a blessing to the congregation in many ways. During her years of membership, she served as a trustee, was on its Finance Committee, and was a member of its council. For a period, she also headed the church’s Community Dinner Program, managed its PowerPoint ministry, and helped Asbury North establish a community computer network with local social agencies. In 2008, she was involved in the nationwide Faith Vote campaign program.

Vanessa also served as the director of Asbury North’s Peace Academy, a community program for children. In addition, for a number of years, she participated in organizing Asbury North’s summer Vacation Bible School program. For years, she also volunteered as a secretary for the church, preparing its weekly bulletins and event programs. She was a charter member of United Methodist Women and a member of Black Methodists for Church Renewal. She also served on the United Methodist West Ohio Conference Community Ministries Board.

Vanessa was incredibly generous with her time and resources. Her commitment to Christ, to the Church, and to her community and loved ones was unfailing and admirably so. She will be dearly missed.

Vanessa is preceded in death by her father, Joseph Tolliver; her mother, Mattie D. Tolliver (Hatten), and her older sister, Veeneenea (“Nina”) Williams. She is survived by her nieces (maternal) V. Erika (“Riki”) Smith (Jeffrey); Vay (“Vi”) Williams, and Viveca (“Marti”) Williams, as well as cousins (paternal) Clifton Latting (Altomease); William (“Billy”) Tolliver, Jr., and Gail Crockett (Roger), and cousins (maternal) Dorothy Hatten Earnest (James) and Cleveland Hatten, III (Ilean), and a host of other family and friends.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, July 7, 2023, at Asbury North United Methodist Church, located at 1586 Clifton Avenue, Columbus, OH 43203.

The family will be making a donation in Vanessa’s name to Ohio State University programs that are specifically dedicated to the improvement of the health and well-being of Black women. To that end, in lieu of flowers, donations towards this cause can be made at: https://gofund.me/a22cb8b4