Minister Vanessa Gwendolyn Shootes

A LIFE REMEMBERED
A woman that feareth the LORD, shall be praised. (Proverbs 31:30)

A TIME TO BE BORN

Minister Vanessa (*affectionately known as Gwen and Goddie) was born January 2, 1960 in Miami, Florida through the union of the late Vanrea Carmel Donaldson of Nassau, Bahamas and Roosevelt Shootes of Americus, Georgia.

A TIME TO PLANT

Vanessa's education began in the Miami Dade County Public School System. She attended Miami Jackson Senior High School and graduated in 1977. After graduation, she attended Fisk University in Nashville, Tennessee. Following her matriculation from Fisk University she pursued her passion for medicine which led her to enroll in the Cuyahoga College Physician Assistant (PA) program located in Cleveland, Ohio.

A TIME TO GROW

At an early age, Vanessa attended church with her father where she was water baptized at Mount Calvary Baptist Church in Miami, Florida. Vanessa received her spiritual guidance from her maternal grandmother, Nicerena Donaldson from Nassau, Bahamas. As an adult, she received the Baptism of The Holy Spirit. Solidifying her acceptance of Jesus Christ as her personal Savior. Afterwards, she joined Jesus People International Ministry where she worked with the Finance Committee and Youth Ministry.  Vanessa heard the call of God to go into the Ministry.  At that time, she studied under the Anointed Vessels of God in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania under the direction of Pastor T. Smith-Lowery. After finishing her course, she preached her trial sermon in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and received her Ministry License. Vanessa was a prayer warrior. She attended Emmanuel Apostolic Prayer meetings on Saturdays, under the leadership of Pastor England, as well she would pray tirelessly on the 5:00 a.m. prayer line. Vanessa also prayed on the Prayer Line with her younger sister Lavendra on The House of Prayer Prayer Line.

*Vanessa was a prayer warrior whose voracious spirit preached, GOD'S HEAVEN SENT MESSAGES  OF HOPE & ENCOURAGEMENT DAY AND NIGHT FOR ALL OF THOSE IN NEED OF A SPIRITUAL UPLIFT.  VANNESSA UTILIZED HER MEDICAL TRAINING AS AN OUTREACH MINISTRY TO THOSE WITH PSYCHIATRIC ILLNESSES. GOOD NEWS OF GOD'S LOVE AND SALVATION TO THOSE WHO WERE SICK AND SHUT IN.

A TIME TO WORK

During her tenure as a Physician Assistant Vanessa assisted Dr. Magdalene of Miami, Florida in Surgery. Upon her departure from the practice of Dr. Magdalene, Vanessa began a successful career with the Dade County Health Department. Her duties included working with the South Florida Reception Center.  The physicians were pleased with Vanessa's work ethics, and realized she had a PA license; they offered her a PA position under the governing of Dr. Robert Terry Smith.  Vanessa's medical career began with the medical department of Correctional Medicine here in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Vanessa worked as a Mental Health Director with the Duval County Jail system in Jacksonville, Florida along with the Armor Correctional Health Services.

During Vanessa's tenure as a Physician Assistant she enjoyed traveling abroad around various parts of the world along with her sister Lavendra. Vanessa loved, nurtured, and encouraged so many more including her nieces and nephews, and friends.

A TIME TO MOURN

Vanessa's mother Mrs. Vanrea Carmel Donaldson-Shootes preceded her in death.  She leaves to cherish her memories, her loving and devoted father Mr. Roosevelt Shootes, Oldest brother & Sister-in-love Elder Rodwell and Elsy Shootes, younger sister Dr. Lavendra V. Shootes, Younger Brother and Sister-in-love Trevor and Jessly Shootes, Nephews: Norman J. Sowell, Jr., (India) Dr. Davonte Shootes, Austin Shootes, Noah Shootes, Bahamian Family: Uncle: Bahamian Ambassador to Japan, Dr. Elywood Donaldson, Aunts: Coralee  Deveaux, Attorney Iris Donaldson, Sister/Friend Minister Crystal Candy McDonald, and her special devoted friend YeimyWhichard, and a host of Bahamian and American cousins, friends, many other relatives, co-workers. and God's children.

A TIME TO REJOICE: Ecclesiastes 3:1-2

To everything there is a season, and a time to be born, and a time to die, a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted.

A time to kill, and a time to heal, a time to break down, and a time to build up: A time to weep, and a time to laugh: a time to mourn, and a time to dance.

PSALMS 91:

1. He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God: in him I trust.

*Gwendolyn Vanessa Shootes is now resting under the shadow of the Lord.

" I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all of them also that love his appearing. "

2 Timothy 4:7-8