Mrs. Vanessa L. Cargile, daughter of the late John and Emma Sizemore, was born on November 17, 1955 in Cleveland, Ohio. She was the sixth child of eight siblings. They grew up together with a close family bond, that still last today, and everyone knew who the Sizemore’s were.

Vanessa went to George Washington Carver Elementary, followed by Paul Revere Elementary and Nathan Hail Middle School. She then attended John Adams High School (class of ’73), where she was a Cheerleader and a member of the Rebellette Dance Team.

After graduating high school, Vanessa attended Dyke College. She worked for AT&T for 30 years until her retirement in 2009. Vanessa served as a dedicated volunteer at the University Hospital Ahuja Medical Center. She also worked at Flowerama, where her passion for flowers flourished. She was passionate with everything she touched and believed in always giving and doing her best when helping others.

Vanessa accepted Christ into her life at an early age and was a faithful member at The Word Church for 20 years, under the leadership of Dr. R.A. Vernon and Lady Victory Vernon. Vanessa was loved by her church family and served faithfully on the Usher and Outreach Ministries. She also volunteered in her community frequently on the weekends.

In 1974, Vanessa met her husband, James Cargile, Sr. Their 40-year union blessed them with three children and seven grandchildren. Vanessa found great joy in attending her children’s various games and performances. She loved spending time with her family and friends.

She enjoyed going to the movies, live entertainment, arranging flowers, traveling (especially to Niagara Falls), attending family functions, cooking, shopping, playing cards, line dancing, and going to the lake. She especially loved spending time with her grandkids, collecting various treasures, and serving at the Word Church. Her favorite holiday was Christmas, especially the tradition of reciting “The 12 Days of Christmas” with the whole family at the Christmas Parties.

Vanessa was a lovely soul that everybody enjoyed being around. Those who knew her say there was something about her spirit that confirmed she was a child of God. She was loving, genuine, authentic, and real. She was always known to have a soft, caring, and inviting heart. Vanessa was always there in your time of need. Most of all, she was the rock of the family. She was loved by many and she loved her family immensely.

Vanessa was preceded in death by her husband, James; and her parents, John and Emma. She is survived by her siblings, Carolyn (Charles) Hite, Shirley Kelly, Deborah (Mark) Davis, Audrey (Ben) Hanson, Reginald Sizemore, Andre Sizemore, Starlette Sizemore; children, Janella (Aaron) Duncan, James Cargile, Jr., VanTionna (Bernard) Thomas; grandchildren, Aaramiah Duncan, Jzaniya Duncan, Aaron Duncan II, Cash Thomas, Jordan Thomas, Nazir Thomas, Kingsten Thomas; loving in-laws; a host of nieces, nephews, relatives; and her devoted friend, Wanda Golden.