Ms. Victoria Vessel

A Life Well Lived The light of Victoria Marie Silvers first graced our world on February 29, 1948, to Vernetta Reams & Norman Silvers, Sr. Victoria was a leap-year baby who continued to leap through life with joy. Victoria was a military brat living all over the continental United States with step-brother Norman Silvers & young uncle Joseph Stalin Reynolds, eventually settling in Kansas City, Missouri. She received her license in cosmetology from Manual Vocational High School and graduated in 1966. Victoria enlisted in the Marine Corps right after high school serving three years and was honorably discharged at the rank of Sergeant. She married fellow marine, Cornelius Taylor and gave birth to her oldest son, Andre Ramon Taylor on February 3, 1968. Her joy of motherhood continued with the birth of two more daughters; Adrie Carsonetta Taylor, (June 9, 1971) & Charese Lignon “Mimi” Vessel (October 12, 1983). In 1972, Victoria, along with KC Mayor Charles Wheeler, and Councilman Charles Hazley assisted Victoria’s Mother, Dr. Vernetta Reams-Whitmire in opening Wise Council House. Wise Council House was one of the first co-educational African-American dormitory living rehabilitation facilities in the country on 3005 Benton Blvd. Hundreds of minority Kansas Citians went through the 12-step program of Alcoholics Anonymous at Wise Council House and set a precedent that minorities could experience sobriety. Victoria’s interest in education began in 1974 when she obtained her Associate of Arts in Early Childhood Education from Penn Valley Community College. She then began working for St. Vincent’s as a preschool teacher. In 1986 she obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Health and Human Services from the University of Central America, a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from Rockhurst College in 1997, and a Master of Integrated Humanities and Education from Rockhurst University in 1999. Victoria was a Parent Educator for the Parents as Teachers program, then a loving elementary teacher in the Kansas City and Grandview School district for 15 years, and later became the Administrator for the Parents as Teachers Program prior to retiring from teaching. Her penchant for educating extended to being a Sunday School and Bible teacher for various ministries. Victoria was a licensed Evangelist Missionary with the Church of God in Christ, Inc., Jurisdiction of Western Missouri. She belonged to the MOKAN Chapter of the Women Marines Association and pledged Delta Sigma Theta, as well. Even though Victoria was a hard-working and accomplished woman, she lived her life to the fullest. She taught her children and others how to study the Bible, fast, and pray but balanced that by indulging in White Hat Mike’s Sunday Blues show on Hot 103, R&B and Soul Music, reading, was an expert at “playing the dozens” and enjoyed big doses of laughing and two-stepping. This lovely golden-hearted pioneer for God had the kindest disposition mixed with sass that made her sudden passing shocking but left an indelible mark on the hearts of those who were blessed to experience her. Through memories, it seems as if she never left. Victoria was Vernetta’s only child, and leaves behind one son and two daughters, her only grandchild (Taylor Victoria Hazley), the love of her life for the past 14 years, Lorenzo Dorsey, a host of cousins, loved ones & friends. A Memorial Service will be held Saturday, October 21, 2023, 11:00am at Ebenezer MBC 8640 Sni-A-Bar KCMO. Visitation will be from 10am-11am at the church. Services conducted by Lawrence A. Jones & Sons Funeral Chapel. Condolences may be shared on our website lawrenceajones.com

Ms. Victoria Vessel

February 28, 1948 - October 4, 2023