Vanessa Mechelle Pappas, 63

Vanessa, 63, passed on Sunday, March 17, 2024, in Lakeland, Florida after a 30+ year health challenge courageously battling Addison’s Disease.

Most people wouldn’t know she faced this serious illness-as she always had a smile on her face, a positive attitude and a Christ-like ability to always make others feel good about themselves.

Very smart & talented, Vanessa always had a “thirst” for learning new things. She had a very rewarding 20+ year nursing career. Vanessa specialized as an operating room nurse in Plastic Surgery, also lending her expertise to the fields of ENT and OB-GYN. In addition to her RN in nursing, Vanessa also earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Art Education. She loved Art and was very talented in various mediums-acrylic, oil, watercolor, photography, sculpture & woodworking. Vanessa was bilingual-learning Spanish to better assist Hispanic patients, and was certified in American Sign Language (ASL), using her skills to help the hearing impaired in both healthcare settings and the Catholic Church.

Not able to have kids of their own, Vanessa and her husband Chuck of 33 years- were honored & blessed to be Godparents 2 times. First, Vanessa’s brother JR (now deceased) and wife Carol honored us to be Devon’s Godparents, naming him Devon V., the middle initial V., further honoring Aunt Vanessa. Then, Vanessa’s sister Abby honored us to be Godparents for her beautiful daughter Anya. Anya then lovingly honored Vanessa to be her daughter Gianna’s Godmother (making V a “Great Godmother”). She then made it “extra special” by giving Gianna the middle name Vanessa.

Being a Godparent was a responsibility and commitment that Vanessa and Chuck didn’t take lightly.
Chuck’s sister (Joanne) got Vanessa and Chuck hooked on Miniature Schnauzers as being great additions to the family. And right she was as we had 3 beautiful pups to be a part of the Pappas family: Maggie (14 years), Katie (14 years) and the recent new love of our/Vanessa’s life, Amy Lee (only 10 months old). They added so much life and love to our house. We all know “Dog” spelled backwards is GOD! Thank you Jesus for these wonderful gifts in our life.

Vanessa is survived by her mother Pauline Boyd (Groves), sisters Abigail Boyd and Jennifer Boyd (Ewing), brother Azby Boyd, godson Devon V. Boyd, goddaughter Anya Boyd (Block), husband Chuck Pappas. She was preceded in death by her father Grover Cleveland Boyd and brother Jasper “JR” Boyd.

A Mass of the Resurrection will be held at St. Anthony Catholic Church in Lakeland, Florida on March 22, 2024 at 1p.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Good Shepherd Hospice c/o Chapters Health System, 3450 Lakeland Hills Blvd, Lakeland, Florida 33805 or to the V Foundation for Cancer Research, 14600 Weston Parkway, Cary, NC 27513.

Condolences may be sent to the family at Gentry Morrison Funeral Home.