Vanessa Gayle Perkins of Chester passed away in the early morning hours of Thursday, July 30,2026. She was 67 years old. 

Vanessa was a nurse for more than 30 years, serving in many roles throughout her healthcare career, including the newborn nursery, pre-surgery testing, and case management. We believe her favorite role was always as a nursery nurse, caring for newborns and their mothers. She loved babies and was overjoyed to have so many children in her life as a grandmother. 

She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Melvin Keith Underwood; her mother, Margaret Rose Porter; her stepfather, Gene Austin Porter; her father, Edward Perkins; her stepmother, Betty Perkins; and her grandparents, as well as many aunts and uncles who played a significant role in her life. 

She is survived by a large and loving family who will miss her deeply. She leaves behind five children: Emily Underwood, Justin Underwood (Samantha), Meredith West (Jeremy), Caleb Reese (Mina), and Rachel Reese (Amber). She is also survived by her grandchildren, Joseph, Parker, Adelynn, Dean, Mila, Colby, Livvy, Henry, Amelia, and Alexander; her three sisters, Nancy Ronkartz (John), Susan Jarvis (Brian), and Amy Porter Crump, and many nieces and nephews. She also leaves behind her beloved dog, Bella, who was her constant companion for the past ten years. 

The family will receive friends at the Colonial Heights Chapel of E. Alvin Small Funeral Homes and Crematory, 2033 Boulevard, Colonial Heights, Virginia 23834, on Wednesday, August 5, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. A funeral service will be held on Thursday, August 6, at 12:00 p.m., also at the Colonial Heights Chapel, followed by a graveside service at Sunset Memorial Park, 2901 W Hundred Road, Chester, Virginia 23831. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, Blood Cancer United, or the American Heart Association.