Valerie Bennerson

Valerie Joyce Bennerson entered into eternal rest at home on Saturday, June 13, 2020. She was born on April 30, 1953 in New York City to Edna Deas and Samuel N. Bennerson II. She was raised in the Lincoln Square neighborhood of Manhattan and moved to Harlem in 1968. Val was educated in the New York City public school system and graduated from Louis D. Brandeis High School in 1971.

Valerie was employed by the Center for Urban Community Services as a Case Manager until 2016. She loved working with homeless women, some of whom struggled with mental illness and they loved her. They affectionately called her “Mama” and absolutely showed her the love and respect that one would deserve.

Valerie left her mark on everyone she met. If you ever had the pleasure of knowing her, you know she had a sense of humor, hated to be lied to and held no punches. She had a heart of gold. She’d always lend an ear, a kind word of advice, a meal or a pillow to lay your head on if you needed it. She was a source of strength and emotional support for and to so many. You knew you were going to get nothing but pure FACTS mixed with a whole bunch of love! Speaking of LOVE.... she LOVED sweets: carrot cake, yellow cake with pineapple filing and shredded coconut, her sisters infamous chocolate cake, apple sweet potato, blueberry pie, Suzy Q’s, and Tahitian Treat sodas.

Valerie was a life-long music lover. As a young girl she spent her allowance on the latest 45’s and 33’s. As the times changed and CDs were introduced to the world she didn’t miss a beat. Her CD collection was just as extensive as her vinyl collection.

Music and sweets were not her only love, she also loved the color yellow and loved to cook. Her fried chicken and potato salad were the truth. Along with that menu was her lima beans with neck bones and rice, okra, spaghetti and pepper steak did us right every time. Christmas was her favorite holiday and you were guaranteed to be delighted with good food, music and family. She was the Nana on the sidelines at the football games and in the audience at the dance recitals. She was the Mama that fed and cared for her kids friends. Her love for her family was unparalleled.

She was predeceased by her parents, Edna and Samuel; older brother Samuel N. Bennerson III (a/k/a Naughty); older sister, Martha Bennerson Underwood; husband Sandy; oldest son, Hasson Wilson and niece, Janell Bennerson.

Valerie leaves to cherish her memory daughters, Shannon Washington, LaVada Wilson and Leah Escobar; youngest son, Kevin Bennerson (Tayisha); older sister, Audrey Bennerson; younger brother, Sherwood Bennerson; grandson, Evan; granddaughters, Anastazia, McKenzie and Elizabeth; nieces, Madelyn, Tenise, Jacqueline, Joan, and Ariellle; nephews, Samuel and Andre; uncle, William Hill; favorite cousin, Sharon Singleton; good friend and neighbor forever Naomi Cabey and a host of folks that thought the world of her.

“Love feels no burden, thinks nothing of trouble, attempts what is above its strength, pleads no excuse of impossibility…..It is therefore able to undertake all things”

St. Thomas Aguinas

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