Vanessa Darden Boone, 61, passed away on Monday afternoon, August 10, 2015, at her home in Leesburg, VA with family and friends at her bedside. Vanessa was born on October 11, 1953 in Newport News, VA to the late Kelly M. Darden, Sr. and Nessa Faltz Darden.

Vanessa retired at the rank of Major from the U.S. Air Force in 1995 after 20 years of honorable service. After retiring from the Air Force, Vanessa was employed as a Systems and Project Engineer for Lockheed Martin Corp thru 2010, and the SI Organization from 2010 thru 2013. She received her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Mathematics in 1975 from the University of Virginia (UVA), in Charlottesville, VA; a Bachelor of Science Degree in Computer Information Systems from Strayer University in 1997; and two Master of Arts Degrees from Webster University in Management and Public Administration (1981) and in Computer Resources and Information Management (1995 – Distinguished Graduate). Vanessa graduated from George Washington Carver High School in Newport News, VA as Valedictorian of her class in 1971. She was also president of the National Honor Society and the Science Club.

Upon entering UVA, Vanessa received an Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFROTC) scholarship. She was the first female in the state of Virginia to complete the four-year AFROTC Program. She received her commission on May 17, 1975. While in the Air Force, Vanessa met her ex-husband, Lt. Col. (Ret.) Dennis H. Boone. From this union was born their son, Richard.

Vanessa's Air Force assignments included Kessler Air Force Base, MS; Offutt Air Force Base, NE; Scott Air Force Base, IL; Osan Air Base, Korea; Eglin Air Force Base, FL; Royal Air Force, Croughton, England and Defense Information Systems Agency, Arlington, VA.

Vanessa was a very caring and giving person – who would selflessly and quietly assist and provide for others without hesitation or expectation of recognition. She was very active in many charitable causes. While at UVA, as a member of the Arnold Air Society, the ROTC honorary group, Vanessa was active in working with underprivileged and handicapped children in Charlottesville. She was instrumental in a playground project, built primarily for minority children. She established rapport between the kids, school administrators, and the Arnold Air Society. In February 2010, Vanessa worked as a volunteer for the popular program "Extreme Makeover" and appeared with celebrity Tyler Perry to renovate a home in the D.C. area. Vanessa was very proud of her accomplishment as a Charter Line Member of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Kappa Rho Chapter, officially established at UVA on September 29, 1973. She enjoyed attending Delta events with her fellow sorors and remained active until her health began to decline. She was also a life-long member and major financial supporter of Greater Walters AME Zion Church in Newport News, VA.

Vanessa was named in "Outstanding Young Women of America" in 1980. She was a Golden Life Member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, a life member of the Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association, and a life member of the Air Force Association. Her military awards and decorations include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal with three oak-leaf clusters, and the Air Force Commendation Medal.

Vanessa's work ethic, commitment to education and concern for others served as an inspiration to many. As one of the first female and minority students to attend UVA, Vanessa blazed the trail for her brother Kelly and sister Mona, who would follow in her footsteps in graduating from UVA. While Vanessa found UVA to be a challenge in many ways, she persevered and stayed the course so that others might have a more successful experience. Her achievements broke a number of barriers and paved the way for future women and minority students.

She was adventurous in many ways and loved to explore the world. While she traveled the world during her time in the Air Force, she also loved to cruise. Through the years, she traveled with family members to the Caribbean, Europe, Alaska, Canada, and Las Vegas.

Vanessa also had an appreciation for the fine arts, and enjoyed attending a number of Broadway plays, to include "Cats", "Les Miserables", "Miss Saigon", "Phantom of the Opera", "Lion King", and "The Wiz". In addition she loved the movie "The Color Purple", her yellow roses, and her beloved colors "Crimson and Cream".

After her retirement in July 2013, and prior to her failing health, Vanessa tirelessly devoted over a year and a half of her time and effort assisting family members after the back-to-back deaths of her mother and a brother-in-law. She provided support in resolving a number of estate matters, which included overseeing the renovation and sale of properties, and the liquidation and sale of a small business.

Vanessa leaves to cherish her memory a son, Richard Scott Boone and daughter-in-law, Tiffeny Michelle Boone of Stafford, VA; a brother, Kelly M. Darden, Jr. (Michelle) of Boca Raton, FL; three sisters, Gloria Darden Richardson (James, Sr.) of Piedmont, SC, Beverly Darden Simmons (Hubert) and Mona Darden Donnelly of Hampton, VA.; an aunt, Mabel D. Jefferson of Temple Hills, MD; her dearest friend Jacqueline Ferguson of Leesburg, VA; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, and former colleagues.

The family will receive friends between 11:00 am and 12:00 pm on Monday, August 17, 2015 at Colonial Funeral Home, 201 Edwards Ferry Rd, NE, Leesburg, VA 20176, where services will immediately follow starting at 12 noon. Burial will take place 1:30 pm on Wednesday, August 19, 2015 in Albert G. Horton, Jr. Veterans Cemetery, Suffolk, VA.