Dr. Vanessa Duren-Winfield was born November 13, 1952 to James R. and  Theresa H. Duren in Winston-Salem NC . She was a graduate of Atkins High School after which  she matriculated to A& T State University.

Spiritually, she was a devoted member of Kimberly Park Holiness Church where she served in many capacities, choir director, praise& worship, president of the education department, president of the Joy& Faith Club. She was the Evangelistic president of the NC Area of the NW District of HCOG, General Vice president of the HCOG Education Department.

Fraternally, she was member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc.

During her early years of employment she became the 1 ^st Black supervisor at RJ Reynolds Tobacco Company. Dr. Duren- Winfield was employed for over 15 years in the WFBMC Public Health Science Area. She was also Assistant Professor& Director of Research Health Care Management at Winston-Salem State University. She had recently accepted a position at A&T State University to teach Race & Health Equity.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Bennie L. Winfield Sr. and brother Emerson Duren. Dr. Winfield passed away on Friday August 30, 2019 at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center.

Those left to cherish fond memories are her two daughters, Deborah Winfield and Lakeshia( Chris) Winfield; two stepdaughters, Aretha Durr and Rhonda(Reginald) Berkley; six grandchildren, including her newest love Justin B. Good; two siblings, Pastor Samuel L. (Teretha) Duren and Corliss A. Cook; a host of nieces, nephews, extended family and friends including devoted friends, Juliette Kennedy, Lydia Craig Johnson, Annette Dawson, Guila Cooper, Kim Smith, Elisha Onsumo and the faculty of Winston-Salem State University.

Homegoing services will be conducted at 12 noon Saturday September 7, 2019 at Kimberly Park Holiness Church. The family will receive friends from 11am-12 noon.