Vanessa Carol Lanier-Owens

Vanessa Carol Lanier-Owens was one of 5 siblings. She was born on January 4, 1962 to Joe Lanier andBetty (Price) Lanier (deceased). She was baptized as a child at St. Malachy Church. Vanessa was calledhome to rest on Wednesday, July 29, 2026.

Vanessa attended grammar school at St. Mel’s Grade School and St. Malachy School. She was an activemember in St. Malachy School SMAC club. She went on to complete high school at Holy Name CathedralHigh School. It was during high school and the age of 16, that she met and fell in love with JohnnieOwens. This relationship was sealed in 1989, when she proudly became Mrs. Johnnie Owens.

After high school, Vanessa joined A+ Talent Agency as a receptionist where her talents advanced intoan extra casting coordinator role. She was later promoted to the Director of the Children’s on CameraAgent. She further rose in the entertainment industry with Stewart Agency, Linda Jack Talent Agency,Grossmanjack Talent Agency, and various talent agencies throughout the Chicagoland area. She hasserved the industry as an extra casting coordinator, Production Assistant (PA), and advertising agent.She has been acknowledged by IMDb for her role in various movies and productions produced in Chicago;such as The Negotiator, Hoodlum, Love Jones, Early Edition, The Last Set, What Say You?, Losing Isiah,There are No Children Here (An Oprah Production) and For the Cause.

During breaks in the industry, she worked at Rush University Medical Center as a Supplemental StaffCoordinator, placing clinical staff on the patient care units as needed. Vanessa was very good atcoordinating people to be where their talents were needed and allowed them to shine. She advised hertalents to grow and encouraged them when they felt that they were just average.Vanessa loved good food, wine, dancing, house music and especially, Michael Jackson.

She leaves to join (deceased): Mother, Betty (Price) Lanier, brother, James R. Lanier; nephew, Rolinado Lee,Jr.; grandmothers, Gladys Price and Harvie Mae Lanier; grandfather, Dan Price; great aunt, Carrie Price;great uncle, Roosevelt Price; uncles, Jan and Maurice Lanier; aunts, Martha and Alma Lanier; andbrother-in-law, Benjamin Counts II.

She leaves to mourn and cherish her memory: A very dedicated and devoted husband, Johnnie Owens,Jr.; father, Joe L. Lanier; three sisters, Gladys (Rolinado Lee), Rita Lanier-Counts, and Rhonda Lanier; fournieces, Christie (Christopher Pope), Betty Lanier, Jamie Lanier, Erica Thirkield Lanier; nephew, Roland J.Lee; sister-in-law, Linda Lanier; and a host of great nieces, great nephew, cousins and friends.