On June 8, 1968, Vanessa Rochel Drake "Pinkie" was born to Christine Pearl Drake Lewis and Willie Dan Brooks in Corpus Christi, Texas. Vanessa was a member of Holy Cross Church.

She went to Roy Miller High School, where she received her GED. Vanessa had some significant accomplishments: getting her Peace officer certificate, medical assistant certificate, EKG and phlebotomy, and dental. Her favorite hobbies were writing poems, drawing, painting, baking, and she loved "Spades." She loved kids and was undoubtedly the neighborhood grandmother and aunt Pinkie.
Our dear Pinkie was a beloved mother, sister, grandmother, cousin, niece, and friend.

She leaves to cherish her precious memories, her daughter Vanetta Drake, her sons Brandon, Clarence Jr., her grandchildren Jalissya, Majesty, Jasmine, Deandre, Carlton, LaQunna. Siblings: Kendall Drake, Quincy, Tiana Brooks, Stephanie and Andrew Beasley, Rhonda Hill ( Best Friend/Sister), Zoltan Webb (big brother), Lesa Favors. A host of aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends. Special mention to the backbone of the family Deonis Poindexter-Naab, Herman Bice Jr., Bridget Bice, Shawn Bice, and Clarence Perkins.
Love ones that preceded her in death are her parents Christine Pearl Drake Lewis, Willie Dan Brooks, and her sister Pam Beasley.