Mrs. Vanessa “Sis” Tull

In the wee hours of the morning of July 23, 2024, Vanessa Ilease Tull gently and peacefully slipped away holding the hand of her beloved daughter, Tiffany. “Sis,” as she was affectionately called by family and friends was born on April 1, 1955, in Temperanceville, Virginia to Delores Marie Norman and Tesco Lee Matthews.

She began her educational journey as a student in Accomack County Public Schools and graduated from Atlantic High School in 1973. Upon graduating, Vanessa attended Virginia State University for two years before transferring to Morgan State University, where she earned a Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree in Elementary Education. She was a member of Xi Delta Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

At an early age, Vanessa was baptized and became a member of Mt. Olive Baptist Church in Messongo, Virginia. She remained a member until she moved to Joppa, Maryland. In 1975, Vanessa married her high school sweetheart, Franklin Lee Tull. From this union, on June 18, 1981, their only child Tiffany Colleen Tull was born. It was love at first sight and Tiffany soon had both parents wrapped around her “finger.” They always thanked God for their precious bundle of joy.

Vanessa had a passion and profound love of teaching. She began her teaching career in Harford County Public Schools in Maryland at Prospect Mill Elementary School. She was often given the students no one else wanted to teach. The relationships she built with her students and parents paid great academic and social emotional dividends. During her tenure as a teacher, she was sought after by several building principals, which resulted in a teaching career at various schools within the Harford County Public School system before retiring in 2012. Vanessa was a teacher not only by profession, but by heart. Due to her love of teaching, she failed retirement and began teaching at the Rising Sun Academy and provided homeschool instruction until family commitments became her major priority.

In her free time, Vanessa enjoyed cooking, reading, making lists, shopping on Amazon, watching Westerns and other Lifetime/Hallmark movies. She enjoyed hosting family events and holiday dinners for her loved ones. Sis enjoyed traveling with her “crew” on several trips, including Hawaii, Bahamas, and Bermuda. Without a second thought, Vanessa generously and wholeheartedly loved to help those around her – from family to strangers, no one was exempt from Vanessa’s unconditional love.

Vanessa was preceded in death by her loving husband, Franklin L. Tull; her father, Tesco Matthews; her sister, Beverly Matthews; her brother, Nathan Matthews; and her very close brother-in-law, Chester Hall, Sr.

She is survived by her loving and dedicated daughter, Tiffany Tull; her mother, Delores Crippen; her stepfather, Hursel Crippen; her siblings, Milton Matthews (Barbara), Dr. Rhonda Hall, Kendall Norman (Porsha), Steven Norman, and Tessa Bagwell; sisters and brother-in-law, Deborah Monroe, Irene Tull, Faye Fuller, and Wayne Tull; nieces and nephews, Chester Hall (Nyoka), LaToya Croswell, Kendall Matthews who was like a son to her, Brandon Hall (Nzia), Tiara Monroe (Keef), Matthew Fuller, Kerri Anne Fuller, Chantal Floyd (Jordan), April Fuller, Kamora Matthews, Kamari Matthews, and Kamil Matthews who she considered her grandchildren, Mason Hall, Brendan Hall, Jayden Floyd, Wayne Tull, Jr., Tamika Tull, and Retamika Tull; and a host of other nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Vanessa loved and adored so many, especially her closest friends, Michelle Krause, Janet Peoples, Dot Ward and Darnell Stewart. She cherished the time spent with Janelle Peoples, Lauren Windsor, Kristina Stotler, and Clarissa Wilson, all of whom were like daughters to her. She also cherished special students, Mlyka, Fassiah, Humza, and Donyell who always stayed in touch with her right to the end. One of her close friends said it best – “the world has lost one of its kindest, gentlest, and most loving souls.” Vanessa’s passing left a big empty spot in the hearts of everyone she loved.

In this time of sorrow, let us be comforted by Vanessa’s legacy of love, compassion, and resilience. She will forever be cherished and deeply missed by her family, friends, former colleagues, and all those whose lives she touched. May her soul rest in eternal peace and may her memory continue to bring comfort and solace to those who knew and loved her.

Lovingly & sorrowfully submitted,
The Family

Funeral services for Mrs. Vanessa Tull also known as “Sis” or “Nessa”of Joppa, MD, formerly of the Shore, will be conducted on Saturday at 1PM from St. John’s U. M. Church, Atlantic, with Rev. Brenda Peterson officiating. Interment will be in the Groton Community Cemetery, Messongo. Family and friends may call on Friday from 4-5 at the funeral home.

Arrangements by the Cooper & Humbles Funeral Co., Accomac.