Celebrating the Life of Vanessa Cunningham Sanders

‘“To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; A time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted.” — Ecclesiastes 3:1–2

And so, it was with Vanessa Cunningham (Sanders), whose (Sunrise) season of life began on Thursday, December 30, 1954, in Lansing, Michigan. She was the fifth of seven children born to the late Jesse and Emily Lee Lane Cunningham. Seven represents completion, finished, and perfect work Biblically. It’s not coincidental that her parents completed their family with seven children.

Her Opening Act

Vanessa grew up on Butler Street during a time when neighbors were more like extended family and children ran freely from yard to yard, turning the entire street into an extension of home and community. It was there, surrounded by family, neighbors, faith, and music, that the foundation of Vanessa’s life was formed. Her Parents believed in a “Village”, they were like parents and grandparents to many who knew them, and like them Vanessa carried on a very similar legacy.

She received her formal education through the Lansing School District, attending Kalamazoo Street School and West Junior High School before graduating from the mighty J.W. Sexton High School in June 1973. Additionally, she attended Lansing Community College briefly prior to deciding Creativity, the Arts, and Public Service as a State Government Employee were her true purpose and calling. Helping people was naturally a ministry that suited her well.

“Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” — Proverbs 22:6

Vanessa’s spiritual education began long before she entered a classroom. It began at home under the loving tutelage of her mother, Emily. A devout Christian and Church Mother, Emily made certain that all of her children were raised in the faith and understood the importance of knowing and serving God.

At a young age, Vanessa accepted Christ, and joined Mt. Zion Baptist Church, where she remained until her passing. She served in the Music Ministry, Theatre Ministry, Tutorial/Education Ministry, served as a Church Van Driver, and Kitchen Ministry at the church as well. Her faith was never an afterthought or something reserved for Sunday Mornings. It was the foundation upon which she built her life.

A Life of Work, Love, and Family

Following graduation, Vanessa began her career with the State of Michigan on November 17, 1973. Her Position at the time of Retirement was Sr. Executive Assistant with Michigan Department of Public Health, Adult Protective Services Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect Intake and Reports with the Department of Public Health (Now Known as Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS)), She remained a dedicated employee until her retirement on November 17, 1993, after 20 years of commitment and dedicated service.

“Therefore, a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” — Ephesians 5:31

Establishing a Foundation for her Legacy

On July 17, 1981, Vanessa married the love of her life, John Melvin Sanders. For 25 years, their marriage reflected an enduring love, commitment, friendship, devotion, and partnership.

Together, they built a beautiful family and raised three children: Daughters, Elaine Sanders of Dallas, TX and Latesha Clemons of Lansing, MI and Son, Robert Sanders of Lansing, MI.

John was a devoted husband and father whose love extended beyond his immediate household. He demonstrated remarkable dedication in caring not only for his family, but also for his aging parents-in-love.

John was called home before having the opportunity to meet his four grandsons and to see the lives they would grow to lead. Vanessa poured herself into those grandchildren, including John (12 yrs. of Age) and Michael (11 yrs. of Age), for whom she served as their Primary Maternal Figure. She was both Mom and Grandma to Robert’s Eldest two Children. Additionally, she was a grandmother to Shawn Clemons, and Daisia Clemons, Ausar Young (10 yrs. of Age), and Robert Jr. “Better Known as RJ” (6 yrs. of Age)

Of all the Roles Vanessa held throughout her life— Wife, Mother, Daughter, Sister, Singer, Actress, Theatre and Choir Director, Playwright, Mentor, Traveler, Servant, Ambassador of Faith, and Friend—family was among her greatest joys. Her Boys were her heart. They were everything to her.

The Gift of Music

“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.” — Colossians 3:16

In the Cunningham household, music was not simply something they listened to. Music was part of the family’s language, and foundations.

Vanessa’s mother, Emily, was herself a gifted vocalist since her early years in Clarksdale, MS, and served as President of the Sr. Choir known as the Gospel Chorus at Mt. Zion for 45 years. It was from her mother that Vanessa learned the discipline of music—proper vocal technique, how to follow a conductor’s beat, how to blend with other voices, and how to execute complex rhythms. Vanessa served in numerous ministries to include the Music Ministry as a Choir Director for the Young Adult Choir, and the Mass Choirs, she Led Solo’s and used her vocal gifts to minister to many in both the church pews as well as the local community in Youth Choirs, and also was a Choral Member of the Mass Choir and Sr. Choir in later years as well.

The technique may have been nurtured by her mother, but the voice—and the anointing behind it—were gifts from God.

Vanessa possessed a powerful and distinctive voice with an impressive vocal range. Whether singing in church choirs, performing with community chorales, or gracing theatrical stages, she could move effortlessly through gospel, jazz, blues, folk, and R&B.

She did more than sing a song. Vanessa told its story.

During her time singing with the Earl Nelson Singers, her signature solos could bring an audience to its feet as listeners experienced not only the beauty of her voice, but the spirit and emotion she poured into every note. Spirituals remind us of our connection with God, and are expressive of our faith. The genre of songs expressed strength, courage, and unity in the midst of pain and sorrow. And Vanessa embodied the true meaning and expression of messages that were intended through her vocal gift and ministry.

Her Love of the Theatre Arts

Vanessa also developed a love for theatre at an early age. She later studied voice, music, and theatre at Lansing Community College, further developing the gifts that would become such an important part of her life and her contribution to the Lansing Arts Community.

Vanessa understood the magic of theatre: how an ordinary room could become another place and another time through lighting, music, design, performance, and storytelling.

But she also understood something deeper—the stage could give voice to stories and people who too often went unseen and unheard.

In 1992, Vanessa founded Capital Area Performers (CAP). The Non-Profit Theatre Company was established to present with excellence and integrity. Through CAP and her work at Michigan History Center, Riverwalk Theatre, Transcendence Performing Arts Center Inc., and numerous Independent Projects, she became an important force in bringing Black stories, Black performers, and Black theatrical works to Lansing audiences.

Under her leadership, CAP became known for quality, thought-provoking theatre that entertained audiences while exploring culture, family, legacy, history, struggle, faith, and the Black experience.

Among the many productions Vanessa directed or helped bring to the stage were Jitney, Joe Turner’s Come and Gone, Two Trains Running, The Wiz, The Amen Corner, Long Time Since Yesterday, Mahalia, Purlie, Steal Away, Cinderella, and Crowns.

For Vanessa, theatre was never simply entertainment. It was storytelling. It was education. It was culture. It was ministry. And it was another way for her to use the gifts God had given her to be an inspiration within her community.

A Servant’s Heart

Throughout her life, Vanessa remained a woman of deep and unwavering Christian faith. She was an active member of Mt. Zion All Nations Bible Church, where she faithfully served for decades, sang in the choir, attended Bible study, and continued the spiritual legacy instilled in her by her mother and father.

Like her mother before her, Vanessa believed that faith was something to be lived, not merely spoken.

Her home was open to others and filled with warmth, hospitality, laughter, and the quiet assurance that somehow, some way, God would provide.

One story captures Vanessa’s generous spirit perfectly.

When she learned that neighbors with young children did not have a sofa after a recent house fire, Vanessa told them to come to her house and take hers.

Not an extra sofa.

Her sofa. The only one she had.

Why?

Because Vanessa believed, simply and completely:

“God will provide.”

That was Vanessa.

If someone needed help and she could provide it, she did. She did not spend much time calculating what helping someone else might cost her. She trusted God to take care of the rest.

Vanessa found great joy in studying God’s Word and praying for her family by name each morning. Her faith was personal, constant, and deeply rooted. Her counsel, generosity, quick wit, and unmistakable laugh became gifts not only to her family, but also to her church and the countless people whose lives crossed hers.

Vanessa the Traveler

When she was not directing a play, singing a song, spending time with family, or serving her church, Vanessa loved to travel.

She enjoyed traveling with family, but Vanessa was also fiercely independent. She was not about to allow the absence of a traveling companion to keep her from seeing the world. She loved Las Vegas Musical Shows, Comedy, and Variety Shows. She looked forward to the Bi-Annual National Black Theatre Convention in Winston-Salem, NC where she networked and enjoyed continued exposure to her passion with theatrical arts.

She became an avid cruiser and embraced the freedom and adventure of solo travel. After stepping aboard her first cruise around the time of her 50th Birthday, she never looked back. Over the years, she logged thousands of nautical miles, traveling throughout the Caribbean, the Mediterranean, and beyond.

Vanessa became a familiar and beloved face to many ship crews. She was known for her sharp wit, her love of the nightly theatre shows, and her remarkable ability to make new friends before the ship had even left the port.

She navigated foreign ports with confidence and independence and always returned home carrying something far more valuable than souvenirs—stories, memories, and experiences she could share with the people she loved.

Her Final Season (Sunset) “… Last Curtain Call”

“I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.” — 2 Timothy 4:7

When Vanessa received her most recent diagnoses, that were serious in nature, she did not allow despair to define her final season.

She faced the news with that very same solid, and unwavering strong faith with which she had lived her life.

Rather than allowing fear to take root, Vanessa chose to spend her remaining days comforting others, sharing her joy in Christ, loving her family, and reminding those who visited her of the goodness and faithfulness of God.

And through it all, she laughed, remained joyous, positive, encouraging, and uplifting to others.

Her laughter remained one of her trademarks—a joyful defiance of sickness and a beautiful testimony to a woman whose spirit was anchored not in her circumstances, but in eternity.

On Tuesday, September 8, 2026, surrounded by her family—the loves of her life—Vanessa peacefully completed her earthly assignment, and transition to God’s Promise of Heaven and Eternal Life.

She went from labor to reward.

The singer had sung her last earthly song. The director had completed her final scene. The traveler had completed her journey. The servant had finished her work.

She finished her race.

Her Purpose in life was fulfilled.

And Vanessa went home to receive her crown of everlasting life.

Her Legacy

Vanessa leaves to cherish her life, love, laughter, faith, and precious memories her Children Latesha Clemons, Elaine Josie Alee Rosie Sanders, and Robert Levern-Davis Sanders; Grandchildren, Shawn Clemons, Daisia Clemons, John Melvin Levern Davis Sanders, Michael Robert Sanders, Ausar Young, and Robert Jr. “Better Known as RJ”; siblings, James Edward Lane, Freddie B. (Marge) Cunningham, Jesse (Leslie) Cunningham Jr., Ora Lee Cunningham, Charles (Teressa) Cunningham Sr., and Timothy Allen Wayne (Lorann) Cunningham; her God-given Sister and Best Friend, Claudia Jean (Richard) Allen and Dedicated Friend Constance Y. Ross; Her Devoted Auntie Lorna Triplett, and God Brother William (Linda) Gordon whom remained a faithful comfort to her during her final days; along with a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family members, dear friends, fellow musicians, actors, performers, and the entire Mt. Zion church family.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Jesse and Emily Lee Lane-Cunningham; her devoted Husband, John Melvin Sanders; her Mother- and Father-in-Love, John Melvin (Norma Jean) Sanders Sr., Jacqueline Elaine Moss-Williams; Uncles Ike Kinsey, and Joseph Self Cunningham, her God-Given Sister, Marsha Ann Jones and other loved ones who welcomed her home.

One Final Celebration

Vanessa wanted one more party before she left us.

So, in keeping with her wishes, this will not simply be a gathering to mourn her passing. It will be a celebration of a life that was lived, loved, sung, performed, traveled, shared, and anchored in faith.

A repast and Celebration of Life, filled with joy, laughter, storytelling, and memories of Vanessa, will be held immediately following the Committal (at East Lawn Memory Gardens “Faith Garden”) at Mt. Zion All Nations Bible Church.

In her honor, the family asks that you wear shades of purple, pink, white, or grey and come prepared to share a memory, tell a story, laugh, sing, and celebrate a woman who gave us so very much to remember.

For those who knew Vanessa know:

She would not want us to leave without a song. She would not want us to leave without a story. And she certainly would not want us to leave without a little laughter.

“Well done, thou good and faithful servant… enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.” — Matthew 25:23