Vanessa Gray

Vanessa Valentin Gray, 45, loving wife and daughter, passed away on September 20, 2026, after a long courageous battle with Lupus.

Vanessa was born on January 14th 1981 to Demito and Mildred Valentin. Vanessa spent a majority of her life in the Monmouth County, New Jersey areas of Ocean Township and Tinton Falls. While growing up in her adolescent and teen years, Vanessa participated in various social activities, with one of them being, going to church. In the church, Vanessa developed a passion for the love of the Lord. How it helped and healed people, how it brought great joy in people's lives, and how the lessons of the Lord filled people with happiness. This effect did two things to Vanessa. One, take the Lord in her heart and become saved. Two, get a secondary education in Pastoral Youth Ministry, in which she went on to study at Valley Forge University, in Pennsylvania.

After attending University, Vanessa moved back home, and went on to have a career in Retail Management. She also worked at her church's daycare part time. While working at the daycare, Vanessa discovered a new passion, Elementary Education. She started small, by becoming a full time aide at the church daycare. Then moving on from there, to a local daycare center to become a Teaching Aide for preschool and kindergarten.

Unfortunately, Vanessa's teaching career was cut short, due to a medical condition, Lupus. Vanessa retired. Her new focus was getting her health in order.

In September of 2017, Vanessa married her husband, Jesse Gray. She moved from New Jersey to Maryland, to support her husband and his endeavors. While in Maryland, Vanessa kept busy with assorted activities, from helping various family members in times of need, to becoming a mentor in worship. Vanessa's health condition would worsen as time went on. She fought as hard as she could, but would eventually succumb to her illness.

Vanessa is survived by her husband, Jesse Gray; mother, Mildred Nederick; father, Demito Valentin; sisters, Charisse Hardy, Illa Cosentino, and Olga Valentin; and nieces and nephews, Cassandra, James, Marvin, Malia, Summer, Wynter, Olivia, Christopher, Joseph, Justy, Dal'is, Carla, Rasha Jr, Zoé, Leia, and Darryl Jr.

Vanessa's life touched the lives of many, leaving behind a legacy of strength and love. Her unwavering spirit in the face of adversity was an inspiration to all who knew her. Vanessa will be remembered for her kindness, compassion, and positive impact she had on anybody that got to know her.