Vanessa Speckman

Vanessa was born in Wytheville, VA on October 16, 1974 to Charles M. and Fanny Ratcliffe. She spent her early years in the Narrows, VA area. In 1977 she was adopted by Darrell and Rebecca Nordeen. Vanessa graduated High School from French Camp Academy in 1992 and then attended photography school in Dayton, OH.

There she met Shawn M. Speckman and they were married April 19, 1999. After Shawn enlisted in the US Army they lived in several states. On conclusion of Shawn’s military service they moved to Kingsville, TX with their sons Elizah and Kaleb.

Vanessa has managed her home and life with a deep devotion to her husband and children. She defended them and loved them with passion. As a homemaker she was an excellent cook and her sense of adventure led her to try many styles of culinary delights. She had a flare and impact seen in her decorating, clothing, with candles and glitter everywhere. There was no doubt when Vanessa entered a room or joined a conversation. Vanessa’s great passions included her dogs, cats, birds and beloved chickens.

Of the many gifts God graced her, the gift of hospitality stands out. She was always willing to help others and “adopted” people quickly. She would clean, cook, talk with and sometimes just listen. As a member of Retama Park Baptist Church she was always present in the kitchen and involved with planning, managing and cleaning up after fellowships. Her attention was on the needs and blessing of others. She loved “The Bean Team” at the traditional Ranch Hand Breakfast on the King Ranch and stirred beans for years.

Others comments after her passing; Effervescent, feisty, funny, loud, crazy…“You created excitement, joy, chaos and adventure wherever you went. You loved deeply and fiercely and spoke without a filter. You took charge and laughed wholeheartedly.” “I will miss our painting adventures, bingo nights, chili’s dates, wreath decorating and seeing you walk down the halls at church hugging everyone you saw.” “God blessed me so with your friendship on this earth. Our personalities were drastically......oh so drastically opposite, but somehow that worked for us. You marched right into my life when we first moved to Texas and all it took was a short conversation about leggings at Bealls.” “She lived boldly and on “fast-forward”, ready for excitement and joy in all moments” Vanessa gave love and is loved by so many.

Vanessa leapt into the arms of Jesus on Saturday November 28, 2020 surrounded by family.

She is survived by her husband (partner in crime) Shawn; son Elizah (wife, Rose) of Seattle, WA; son Kaleb of Kingsville; son Michael Turner (wife, Erica) of CA; parents Darrell & Rebecca Nordeen of Kingsville; Mother in Law Joanne Hoffman of Kingsville; brother Ryan Nordeen (wife, Tiffiny, children Parker, Lily, Poppy) of Olathe, KS; sister Becca Nordeen of Dallas, TX; half-sister Chasity of VA and so many Aunts, Uncles and cousins.

A memorial service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, December 3, 2020 at Retama Park Baptist Church.

In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorials or donations be made to:

Halo-Flight Inc. for the great gift they provided

https://haloflight.org/support/give/

…or

Retama Park Baptist Church for Celebrate Recovery

https://www.retamaparkbaptist.net/Give

Services are entrusted to Turcotte-Piper Mortuary, 205 General Cavazos Blvd. Kingsville, Texas 78363.