was born in New York City, New York to Annie Bell and Lonnie Early on October 16, 1957, at Mt. Sinai Hospital. She was the second of two children of that union.
The family lived in the St. Nicholas Projects but growing up she spent much of her time in the Lincoln at the home of her maternal grandmother (Mama), which was the central gathering place of the entire family. Vanessa spent a lot of time in the kitchen right under her mother and developed a passion for cooking and hospitality.
Vanessa attended P.S. 92 Elementary School, Frederick Douglass Junior HS aka I.S. 10 (which is where she first met Alfred Eatman, Jr. who she would marry 16 years later). After graduating Louis D Brandeis H.S. in Manhattan, she attended Baruch College of the City University of New York. While continuing to attend college Vanessa went to work for EXXON Corp. as a paralegal for 10 years.
Through a mutual friend, Edward Holmes, she was reintroduced to Alfred Eatman, Jr. whom she had not seen since Junior H. S., when he would come by each day to pick up his sister Hazel. He was quite smitten with Vanessa but never got to know her then. But after that reintroduction they went out on a date and immediately became an item. Alfred and Vanessa dated almost continuously for 6 years and married on September 15, 1986. To their loving union three sons were born: Rashad, Tariq, and Hakim.
The married couple made their home in Englewood, New Jersey. For a brief period, Vanessa continued to work for EXXON and for two years the family relocated to Dallas Texas where EXXON moved their headquarters. Upon returning to Englewood, Vanessa became a full-time homemaker for her husband and three young children. Once the children were of school age, Vanessa went to work for the Mosque School “Muhammad University of Islam” which the three boys attended. She was the Administrative Assistant to the Director and Principal fund raiser for the school. She later went on to work for the Englewood Public School system as a Disciplinary Intervention Counselor. From there Vanessa moved on to her career of 20 years with Fairleigh Dickenson University as a Graduate Student Program Coordinator. Vanessa completed her college education at Fairleigh Dickenson University with a B.A. in Hospitality
Vanessa was known for her warm, loving personality and beautiful smile. She had a great eye for decoration. For any event given by the Mosque No. 7 Englewood Study Group, Vanessa took the lead for decoration, and she really put her heart and soul into it. If she cooked, she came up with dishes you could only get at a five-star restaurant otherwise. Vanessa had a big heart and taking care of others came natural to her. She took care of her aging father and her sister returning to Englewood, Vanessa became a full-time homemaker for her husband and three young children. Once the Business Management.
Along with her husband, Vanessa was a faithful and longstanding member of the Nation of Islam. Vanessa was known for her expert professional cooking and decoration. The dishes she would come up with were known around the Nation but her Macaroni and Cheese was legendary. A secret recipe that she took with her.
Janaazah Prayer (Funeral
Program)
The deceased Muslim is placed horizontally in front of the lmaam who stands, according to the Sunnah, at the shoulder of the deceased. The believers stand behind the Imaam. There is no Ruke (bowing) or Sujuud (prostration) in the prayer. The prayer is conducted in an upright standing position, Qiyam and contains four takbirs.
FIRST TAKBIR: The Imam says “Allahu Akbar” (God is Greatest), raising his hands to his ears and placing them between the chest and the navel. The followers do the same. The Imam recites the AI-Fatihah, The Opening, In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Most Merciful, Praise be to Allah, the Lord of he worlds; The all Merciful, the ever Merciful, The Possessor of the Day of Judgement. You only we Worship and only Your help we Seek. Guide us to the straight Path; the path of those whom you Bestowed your grace and mercy And not of those who encourage Your wrath.
SECOND TAKBIR: The Imam says “Allahu Akbar” without raising his hands. The followers repeat. They then invoke Allah’s blessings upon the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) by reciting Salaatu ‘Alan Nabiyy. “O Allah, shower Your Mercy upon Muhamn1ad and the followers of Muhammad, as You showered Your Mercy upon lbrahim and the followers oflbrahini. Behold You are Praiseworthy. Glorious, Oh Allah, shower Your Blessings upon Muhammad and the followers of Muhammad as You showered Your Blessings upon lbrahim and the followers of Ibrahim. Behold, You are Praiseworthy, Glorious.”
THIRD TAKBIR: After the third takbir, the Imam and believers pray for the deceased by saying the following: “Oh Allah, forgive those of us that are alive and those of us that are dead, those of us that are present and those of us who are absent; our minors and our elders; Oh Allah, whomever of us you keep alive, let him live as a follower of Islam and whomsoever of us you cause to die, let him die as a believer. “
FOURTH TAKBIR: The Imam says “Allahu Akbar and the believer repeat. They proceed with:
“Oh Allah, do not deny the reward which is due him, do not expose us to temptation after his death. Forgive us and him.”
The Imam concludes the prayer with:
“As Salaamu ‘Aiaikum Rahmatullahi”* and the believers repeat. *Peace and Mercy of Allah be upon you.
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was born in New York City, New York to Annie Bell and Lonnie Early on October 16, 1957, at Mt. Sinai Hospital. She was the second of two
The family lived in the St. Nicholas Projects but growing up she spent much of her time in the Lincoln at the home of her maternal grandmother (Mama), which was the central gathering place of the entire family. Vanessa spent a lot of time in the kitchen right under her mother and developed a
passion for cooking and hospitality. for EXXON Corp. as a paralegal for 10 years.
Vanessa attended P.S. 92 Elementary School, Frederick Douglass Junior HS aka I.S. 10 (which is where she first met Alfred Eatman, Jr. who she would marry 16 years later). After graduating Louis D Brandeis H.S. in Manhattan, she attended Baruch College of the City University of New York. While continuing to attend college Vanessa went to work
Through a mutual friend, Edward Holmes, she was reintroduced to Alfred Eatman, Jr. whom she had not seen since Junior H. S., when he would come by each day to pick up his sister Hazel. He was quite smitten with Vanessa but never got to know her then. But after that reintroduction they went out on a date and immediately became an item.
Alfred and Vanessa dated almost continuously for 6 years and married on September 15, 1986. To their loving union three sons were born: Rashad, Tariq, and Hakim. The married couple made their home in Englewood, New Jersey. For a brief period, Vanessa continued to work for children of that union.
Alfred and Vanessa dated almost continuously for 6 years EXXON and for two years the family relocated to Dallas Texas where EXXON moved their headquarters. Upon returning to Englewood, Vanessa became a full-time
