VANESSA HOWELL EFFERSON

SEPTEMBER 18, 1959 — SEPTEMBER 18, 2025

Vanessa Howell Efferson, 66, passed away surrounded by family in her home in Bossier on September 18th, 2025. Born on the same day in 1959 in Shreveport to Van C Howell and Lou Grimshaw Howell, Vanessa is preceded in death by her father Van. She is survived by her mother, Lou Howell; her brother Danny Howell; her sister Mary Virginia Howell; her husband Doug Efferson; her children Seth Butcher (wife Brittney Butcher), Samantha Walker, and Hannah Brown (husband Malek Brown); and her grandchildren Leah Walker, Kate Walker, and Leila Butcher.

Vanessa graduated from Bossier High School and went on to have a storied and fascinating life. She became a respiratory therapist, Girl Scout leader, Sunday school teacher, Vacation Bible School leader, a book review consultant, and even operated her own book stores. She loved driving cars like her old Camaro and T-Bird, playing the piano, and reading. She kept her own modest library and traveled to book conventions and events.

Visitation, service, and burial took place at the Hill Crest Memorial Funeral Home in Haughton, Louisiana. Jacqueline “Jackie” Collins, a close friend of Vanessa’s, will officiate. Visitation was Tuesday, September 23rd, 2025 from 5:30 P.M. to 7:30 P.M. The service and burial took place Wednesday, September 24th, 2025 at 10:00 A.M.

In lieu of flowers, she would have greatly appreciated donations to the St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital (www.stjude.org/donate/).