Vanessa Groomes

On Wednesday, April 5, 2023, we lost a beautiful soul: Vanessa Anne (Glover) Groomes. She left us much too soon, leaving behind the loves of her life; her fiancé Waylon Glover and their three beautiful children Lannessa Marie Dawn Leigh, Jerry Charles Lee, and Heavenlee Sue.

Vanessa was born to Wesley John Charles Sr., and Sharon Renae Groomes, with older siblings Dawn Renee and Wesley John Charles Jr., on November 8, 1991, in Charlottesville, Virginia. In 1993, the family moved to Oklahoma where Stephani Leigh and Bruce Corbin were born.

Vanessa had such a big heart for anyone blessed to meet her. She would give you the shirt off her back even if she needed it herself. She loved her family and friends and was always the life of the party. She had strong opinions and was always very open about the way she felt. She was incredibly loyal, honest, loving, and selfless when it came to anyone she met. She was the one to chase you down laughing only to throw a piece of cake in your face at your birthday party every time; the one who could know your flaws and still love you and see you for you. She was a genuine soul who loved with every fiber of her being. She was very well loved and supported by those close to her. To Vanessa, there was no such thing as a stranger. She could walk into a room full of people and walk out knowing their entire life stories, seeing them, and understanding them. She was boisterous and, with her mind in the gutter, her jokes and comments kept everyone laughing and smiling everywhere she went. She helped everyone see the positives in life and understand where they came from and how to get to where they wanted to be. Her presence has always, and will always, be known; the light that shines in every situation. You could call her crying and lost; she would listen, understand, and by the end of your phone call, have you laughing and in a completely different mindset. She spread love, life, and laughter everywhere she went. Vanessa was able to save many peoples’ lives by selflessly being an organ donor.

Vanessa is preceded in death by grandparents Bessie M. (Hall) and John C. Groomes; sister Dawn Renee Groomes; and daughter Cloey Anne Groomes.

Vanessa is survived by fiancé Waylon Glover; children Lannessa, Jerry, and Heavenlee; grandparents Katherine Hicks and John B. Workman; parents Wesley and Sharon Groomes; aunts and uncles Dieter “Doc” Groomes, Tracy Trusler, Mickey Groomes, Gina Groomes, Amanda Payne, and John Workman; siblings Wesley Groomes, Stephani and husband Thomas Baker, and Bruce Groomes; sisters-in-law Kandis Medlin and LeAnne Phelps, and Justice Joseph; known to all her nieces and nephews as “Nae Nae”, Mario, Maria, Cayden, Auna, Nathan, Carston, Paisley, Corbin-Scott, Taylor, Bruce, Rhyder, Brody, and Alexander; and by first and second cousins, great aunts and uncles, and countless friends.

In lieu of flowers, Vanessa would be forever grateful for donations to help with the care of her three beautiful children who are now without her.