Vanessa Rijan Huggins of Bay City Texas passed from this life and over into the loving arms of Jesus on November 6, 2022. She died peacefully at home with a heart that had been physically repaired yet failed due to the overabundance of her love.

Vanessa was born to Joseph and Joyce Wright in Wilmington North Carolina on December 9, 1958. Vanessa was a graduate of Three Rivers High School and later attended college at Wharton County and the University of Houston. Vanessa was at various times an Accountant for Stanley's Stores, a Computer Specialist for the Matagorda Regional Hospital System, and later an Accounting Manager for Bay Villa Health Care Center. She was very passionate about her work and dearly loved caring for people; especially for those who were not able to care for themselves.

Vanessa had an extremely interesting childhood, as she got her great love of animals from her father who had been an adventurer and animal specialist.  He led various safaris where he captured animals for zoos all over the world. The family business was the management of small zoos in various parts of the country. Vanessa grew up feeding lions & tigers, riding on the back of alligators which her daddy had wrestled, watering elephants, and nursing baby monkeys.

As a 5-year-old Vanessa & her older sister Karla made the front page of the Austin American Statesman. The multi-page article was entitled "A Day in the Life of Karla and Vanessa" which featured a large front-page photo of Vanessa and Karla holding and handling a 14' Burmese python. The article went on to highlight the events of a typical day of theirs, a day which would be the envy of any animal lover.

Vanessa lived an adult life full of both joys and sorrows. She taught 5&6th grade boys Sunday School for many years. She always had a way with kids; even the difficult ones were no match for "Miss Vanessa". By the end of class she would have them eating out of her hand. She guided the youth on church trips and church camps for 35 years, always being that kind ear as they poured their hearts out. She loved to have fun and kids were drawn to her fun-loving and playful spirit. It was always a party when Miss Vanessa was around.  She loved riding horseback, surfing, snow skiing with all her heart. She loved riding on the back of the motorcycle not so much.

Vanessa was a quiet servant, she was well known for being quick to help people who were in need, especially those who were downtrodden or less lovable than others. Vanessa is an animal lover and always surrounded by a menagerie of dogs, cats, ferrets, hedgehogs, & horses. Woe betides anyone who she heard of being less than loving to an animal.

Her greatest sorrow was the loss of her beloved Amy Rene who passed over to be with Jesus in 1989 at the age of 12. Vanessa struggled with this loss for several painful years but she emerged stronger with a heart for encouraging others who had suffered similar loss. She started a ministry at Calvary to help those who were grieving a loved one.

She was a loving and adoring wife who was her Meredith's greatest cheerleader. She cared for him and supported him and was a wonderful partner. They were, and are, the loves of each other's lives. Her smile, her laugh, and her sweet voice will be sorely missed but never ever forgotten.

Vanessa is preceded in death by her father Joseph Wayne Wright, by her Mother Joyce Elenita Wright, by her sister Karla Kolb of Gatlinburg Tennessee, by her daughter Amy Rene Huggins, and by her grandsons Roman Stergios Huggins and Ashton Rave Huggins of Katy Texas. She is survived by her husband of 46 years, Meredith Stergios Huggins and son Cody Custer Huggins and wife Destiny, of Katy Texas. By son Joshua Otto Huggins and wife Elyssa of Bay City Texas, and by son Jonathan Joseph Huggins of Bay City. She is also survived by her three beautiful granddaughters, Aimee Rene (17), Berlyn Sky (13), and Evalyn Marie (13) Huggins of Katy Texas.

Vanessa is also survived by Sister Cheri Elaine King (husband Brian & their children Liam and Samantha) of Wilmington, North Carolina as well as nieces, nephews, uncles & aunts who are dearly beloved but too numerous to name; Sister-in-law and brother-in-law Joanna & Dennis Crawford and niece Kimberly and nephew Luke, all of San Antonio.  Her brother-in-law and sister-in-law Nikos and Demetra Evangelio and nephews Stergios and Thomas, all of Dafnospelia, Greece.  Her Brother-in-law Keith Kolb and nieces Anissa and Kye and nephew Ian Kolb of Gatlinburg Tennessee.  Her dearly beloved uncles, aunts, and cousins of North Carolina and of Texas who we would love to mention all by name but who are as numerous as the stars in the sky.

The family will receive friends and relatives beginning at 9:00 am Friday, November 11, 2022 at Calvary Baptist Church in Bay City. Services will 10:00 am with Rev. Lane Par-Due officiating. Interment will follow in Cheatham Family Cemetery, Whitsett, TX at 3:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Calvary Baptist Youth Program.