Louise F. Vessels

Please click here to view the services of Ms. Louise Vessels on Friday, April 18, 2025 at 12:00pm.

On Friday April 11, 2025, Louise Frances Fortune Vessels affectionately known as “Lou or Wezzy” departed this life at the age of 91. Lou was born November 2, 1933, in Columbia, Virginia to the late Lannie Mable Johnson and Charlie Junious Fortune. She was a member of Salem Baptist Church of Washington, DC

Lou married the late James Robert Wellington Vessels in June 1954 and they resided in Washington, DC where they raised one daughter Renee and three sons Wellington, Perry and Derek. She leaves behind her four children and daughter- in-law Karla; ten grandchildren: Desiree, DeElla, Julie, Ean, Shawna, Derek II, Adam, Alicia, Madisyn, and Bruno; granddaughter-in-law Inez and grandsons-in-law Nate Helm, Miguel Rodriguez and Jason Staples; seven great-grandchildren: Natalya, Elijah, Kira, Janna, Leah, Grayson, and Caleb; a great grandson-in-law Juwan Weaver; and two great-great grandchildren: Josiah and Scarlett Weaver. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother and great-great grandmother.

Lou also leaves behind to cherish her memory one brother Reginald Fortune, a brother-in-law Tyrone Vessels; five sisters-in-law Rosa, Ann, Patrice and Cheryl Vessels, and Pauline Fortune. She is predeceased by her parents Lannie and Charlie Fortune; sister Elois Brewer and brothers Charles and Clarence; brothers-in-law Lee, Mackes, Robert and Ryland Vessels and Herbert Johnson; sisters-in-law Clementine Johnson, Sara Fortune, Evelyn and Lucy Vessels; and daughter-in-law Sandra Stoops-Vessels and a host of many other nieces and nephews, relatives and friends.

Lou was a very kind-hearted and loving Christian woman. She opened her heart and home to neighboring kids ensuring they had a good meal and knew the Lord’s word. Lou often took relatives and neighbors to their doctors and the grocery store. She loved her family and grandchildren fiercely. Lou loved to travel and especially cruising, dinner parties and watching action movies. She will forever be missed by her family and all who knew her.