Vanessia Ebbelene Cottrell Crites

Vanessia Ebbelene Cottrell was born in Clarkson, Kentucky on December 14, 1964 to Marchmond Jerry and Lillie Beth Cook Cottrell. She completed her high school education by earning her GED and spent the next several years moving all over the southeastern United States before settling in Crump, Tennessee where she remained for the next 15 years. Eventually she met James Paul Crites and they married on January 27, 2005.

Vanessia worked as a waitress all of her life, beginning at River Heights Restaurant in Crump, Tennessee, followed by ten years at The Golden Dragon in Savannah. Her attention to details and her organizational skills made her a favorite with all her customers.

When she wasn’t serving the public, she was going to the creek, usually Flat Gap Creek in the Olive Hill area. Wading and tanning were her favorite pastimes there, but not the only ways in which she spent her spare time. She loved playing with her grandbabies and taking care of her boys; family time was often spent playing dice and all kinds of card games. Home projects and honey-do lists were her specialty and she always enjoyed the feeling that came with the completion of the latest endeavor. Just recently, apple trees were planted, an extension of her love of gardening. Tomato plants were always included but her favorite thing to grow was cucumbers. Having fresh produce was a plus since she was a wonderful cook, especially when it came to cornbread and beans. Quiet times were spent listening to her husband play his guitar; she loved music and always enjoyed his musical ability.

Vanessia Ebbelene Cottrell Crites left this world on July 27, 2014 at the age of 49 years, 7 months and 13 days. She leaves her husband, James, of Crump, Tennessee, her four sons, Kenneth Ray Martin, II of Fort Campbell, Kentucky, Arick Matthew Martin of Vicksburg, Mississippi, Johnathan James Crites of Crump, Tennessee, and Christopher Lee Martin, also of Crump, Tennessee, her father, Marchmond Cottrell of Big Clifty, Kentucky, three granddaughters, Zoey Jane Martin, Arianna Danielle Martin, and Lillie Paige Martin, and two grandsons, Collyn Ray Martin and Kindle Lee Martin, four sisters, Shelia Marie Cottrell Dennison, Hilda Annette Cottrell, Christine Beth Cottrell, and Wendy Jean Cottrell, and four brothers, Marchmond Jerry Cottrell, II, Billy Ray Cottrell, Gregory Lee Cottrell, and Lionel Wayne Cottrell. She was preceded in death by her mother, Lillie Cook Cottrell.