Vanessa Patrice Kerr- King also known as "Patrice" was born in Jacksonville FL on Saturday August 30, 1952. The daughter of Sallie Mae Alexander and Herbert G. Alexander. She attended James Weldon Johnson and was a proud graduate of William Marion Raines High School class of 1970 where she was a Varsity Cheerleader and member of the Ladies of Raines. After graduation Vanessa went on to attend the University of Florida. During her time at Raines High School, she met and later married her first husband Jerome Hutchinson. Vanessa then went on to live in New Orleans, Louisiana working as the first black Playboy bunny, and actress while conquering the city with her dear friend Ben Frazier. After New Orleans, she hit the windy city of Chicago before returning to Jacksonville. While in Jacksonville, Florida, she met and married Charles Dublin. From this union her first daughter was born, Angele Dublin. Not one to let moss grow under her feet, she then moved to Los Angeles California where she met Walter Kerr, giving birth to her second daughter, Aura Kerr.
Vanessa continued to explore and live in cities across the country before moving to Boston, Massachusetts where she met and married Chester King. After retiring from an award winning, lifelong successful career in sales including jobs as a Stock Broker, Real Estate Agent and Sales Consultant; she returned and settled down in Jacksonville, FL.
Vanessa was an avid traveler, having traveled to more than a dozen cities and countries. In all her travels, her favorite place to visit was the beach; she was often heard referring to Jamaica as her homeland. While her travels have taken her all around the world to many countries, France, Tunisia, Curacao. Her moment in time was being in London at the Buckingham palace to witness the royal wedding on May 19, 2018. A historical moment she will never forget. Her other hobbies included cooking, reading, gardening, filmmaking and spending time with her granddaughter Brielle.
Vanessa truly lived life to the fullest through the simple pleasures while doing everything with an extravagant flair. She had an uncanny intuition and ability to reach people with love in a positive way. As a result of living by the motto "One Love", she is loved my many near and far.
Vanessa departed this life on Friday July 19, 2019, and was preceded in death by her mother, Sallie Mae Alexander; father, Herbert Alexander and Herbert Lovelle; sister, Deidre Wesley and late husband, Walter Kerr. She leaves to mourn her passing: daughters, Angele Dublin and Aura Kerr; grandchildren, Bryan DeLaine and Brielle Durant; brother, Derrick Alexander; niece, Nodiyea Wesley; nephew, Larone Wesley; husband, Chester King and many others whose lives she has touched.
The funeral service for Vanessa Patrice Kerr-King will be held 1:30 PM, Friday, August 2nd, 2019 at the Restlawn Cemeteries 2600 Ribault Scenic Drive Jacksonville, FL 32208. The visitation will be 5 - 7PM, Thursday, August 1st, 2019 at the Funerals By T. S. Warden 4315 North Main Street Jacksonville, FL 32206. Interment in Restlawn Cemeteries. Please sign the family guest book and view the video tribute @ www.tswarden.com. Arrangements in care of Tyrone S. Warden, FDIC, 4315 N. Main Street, 765-1234