Vanessa Mcknight Scott

Vanessa Mcknight Scott a/k/a “Nelt”, quietly ascended the stairway to heaven on August 15, 2023, at the age of 66 years old. She was born on January 31, 1957, to mother, Jesse Mae Mcknight and father Stacy Lee in Burgaw, North Carolina. However, she would eventually establish her roots in Far Rockaway, Queens, where she was a beloved local fixture and staple of the community for five decades. Over the years, she was blessed with the births of six children. She was also a widow, having been preceded in death by her late husband, Baron Scott. Vanessa last worked as a concierge for the Sun & Surf Beach Club located in Atlantic Beach, NY for the past 15 years and would later retire from her position there. She was a dedicated employee and had an outstanding work ethic as she rarely missed a day. It was this diligence that caused her to be loved, recognized and appreciated by her employer in every way. She was a natural born caregiver, which is a nod to her upbringing as she knew that life began and ended with the support of a deep-rooted family. Upon losing her mother, she and eldest sister Elsie undertook raising their four younger sisters. These six phenomenal women would later become the strength behind the East Coast McKnight's legacy in which Vanessa was the glue. Being proclaimed as a ‘second mother’ from those who loved her was how she was often viewed. After the devastating loss of her eldest child Raquel, she raised her seven young grandchildren. It was no easy task but she always got by and managed the best that she could, and it was her guidance and love that would cover and protect them. Her greatest wish was to see all her children and grandchildren succeed in life and she remains that same driving force in their lives. If you were hungry, Vanessa would feed you. If you required advice, she would talk to you. If you were disrespectful, she’d check you and if you needed cheering up, she would hug and laugh with you. On the flip side, she could be stubborn and headstrong and had a sharp, silver tongue to match so you needed some luck in convincing her to do something that she didn’t want to do. She was funny without even trying and enjoyed spending quality time with her family and friends especially her best-friend of 40 years, June Simmons aka Ms. Nunie. Birthdays were important days and she’d never forget to wish any of her loved ones a happy one. She loved gardens and plants as well which were a must in her home. She believed that a house wasn’t a home unless it had some plants to take care of. Vanessa’s favorite pastimes were attending family events, reading books, cooking and playing cards like Pokeno and Spades but music was her all time favorite, especially ballads of the old days from artists such as Otis Redding and other Motown greats. Vanessa was ailing during the last few months prior to her demise but was surrounded by family and close friends as she transitioned to the other side. She was sadly preceded in death by both parents and daughter, Raquel. She is survived by sons, Terrance Mcknight and Kareem Scott, daughters Tiffany, Shameka and Dayshawn Mcknight; sisters, Elsie Wilkins, Sheila and Pamela Mcknight, Michelle Bride and Tara Farrior Wright; sister-in-law Cheryl (Sherry) Scott, who was more like a sister and brothers-in-law, Raymond and Julius Scott. She is also survived by 21 grandchildren, Jacquel, Julisa, Raven, Dominique, Elijah, Malik, Emmanuel, Terrance Jr., Kyseem, Briana, Teyana, Hydia, Seven, Faith, Takira, Tiara, Trashawn, Shelly, Travia, Trace and Raquel and 10 great-grandchildren, Azaria, Zyaire, Aariyah, Leilani, Lael, AJ, Phoenix, Ahmeir, Anthony Jr. and Kai. She will be remembered with great admiration and loving memories by all who were blessed to know and love her, including her surviving aunts, Ruth Barden and Elizabeth Spencer and a plethora of beloved cousins, nieces, nephews and a host of close-knit family and friends.

Vanessa Mcknight Scott

January 31, 1957 - August 15, 2023