Pastor Vanessa Dantzler Ussery is the daughter of the late Bro. Sherman Walter Wainwright and Sis. Sylvia Tolbert Wainwright. She is the eldest of three children; her sister Pamela Faye Martin and brother, Sherman Walter Wainwright II. She was saved at the tender age of eight and is the third generation of a long line of men and women who were trailblazers in the early days of the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World (PAW). Her maternal grandparents were the late District Elder Lambert Tolbert, Sr. and Evangelist Claudia Tolbert, deceased. They were both saved in their early teens and joined in Holy Matrimony by the late Bishop G. T. Haywood, the first Presiding Bishop of the P.A. of W. Her great-grandparents were Elder James and Sally Tolbert who in the early days of the P.A. of W. traveled extensively establishing churches throughout the country. Growing up it was her parents aim to train their children to be dedicated to God, so the home atmosphere was one of prayer and holiness.
On Saturday, May 12, 2007 Pastor Vanessa and Charles Blakey Ussery, Jr. were married in Dana Point, CA in the presence of their immediate family. Charles is a committed man of God and is a devoted husband to his bride. A graduate of University of Southern California (USC), he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Public Administration. Prior to earning his degree, Charles was a member of the Trojan's 1978 National Championship Team and played as a starting defensive lineman during his 4 years at the prestigious institution. After college he played professional football in the United States Football League for the LA Express and transitioned to the National Football League for the Los Angeles Rams until suffering a career ending injury. Since 1989 he has served in the aerospace industry and is currently employed with American Airlines in Aerospace management. Charles gives all the credit to the Lord for blessing him to meet his lovely wife and enjoys sharing the story of how they met.
