Vanessa Denyce Reese

Vanessa Denyce Reese, of Fairbanks, died unexpectedly Feb. 22, 2017, in Fairbanks.
Vanessa was born March 5, 1992, in Dallas, Texas. She was a loving mother and a caring, compassionate, hard working young woman who always placed the needs of friends and family above her own.
Following her lifelong dream of becoming a nurse, she was accepted into the "school of her dreams" on Feb. 10. She touched so many lives and truly will be missed by all.
Vanessa worked as the health and safety coordinator for Thrivalaska Headstart. She was a certified nurse assistant, working at the Denali Center. Vanessa trained coworkers on Greendot (domestic violence), was a member of the Health and Safety Advisory Committee. She worked with the Cooperative Extension Service, providing nutrition classes for parents. She also taught first aid and CPR. Vanessa also organized health fairs through the Interior Community Health Center.
She is survived by her son, Gabriel Reese; her daughter, Lilly Reese; boyfriend, Willie Graham; mother, Misty (Brandon) Wright; father, David (Heather) Reese; sisters, Olivia Reese, Briana Reese and Kennedy Reese; brothers, Chad "Deuce" Williams and Kasen Reese; half-brother Oscar Avalos Jr.; grandmother, Patricia Reese; grandfather, Gary (Roberta) Reese; great-aunt, Becky Howard; great-uncle Thomas Howard; nephew, Sebastion Bonilla; Gabriel's father, Alex Arauz; and numerous other uncles, aunts and cousins.
A visitation will be held from 4-7 p.m. Thursday, March 2, at Chapel of Chimes, 415 Illinois St., Fairbanks, AK 99701. A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, March 3, with a viewing from noon-2 p.m. at Friends Church, 1485 30th Ave., Fairbanks, AK 99701, with Pastor Derek Dickinson officiating. A potluck will follow the funeral service.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Interior Alaska Center for Non-Violent Living, 726 26th Ave., Fairbanks, AK 99701, or a charity of your choice.