The year was 2000. It was the turn of the Century, and all the world was waiting with bated breath to see what this new decade would hold. Some were wondering if their computers and electronic gadgets would work after midnight. Others were nervous about their financial investments or economic status.
By the Fall of the year, Victor and Angela Sanders were concerned with just one thing … the birth of their first baby daughter. There were still a couple of weeks before her due date, around the end of September, so all was well. At least that’s what the parents and the doctor thought; but that little girl had other plans. On September 12th, she made her early arrival, on her own terms, in the hospital waiting room! They named her V’Ctorea Ja’Niese. What a leader and a queen she would prove to be.
She absolutely loved fashion, make-up, hair styling, and most of all singing. V’Ctorea cherished her parents and grandparents. She was close to all of her siblings, but especially, to her brother Tory. Jer’Miaine and Kryst’na were very special to her as well.
V’Ctorea was a happy, well-adjusted child, and she had a smile that could light up a room. At the age of two, she received her first miracle. One day she saw her dad standing outside, across the street. She ran out into the traffic to cross the street to be with him. A speeding car rounded the corner and stopped when it touched her chest. Her Mom declared that the Lord sent an angel that day to save her life. It was, indeed,
a miracle.
As you might expect, V’Ctorea was a Daddy’s Girl. One day she asked her mother if she was “spoiled.” Her mother replied, “Yes, you are!” V’Ctorea vehemently denied the possibility of being spoiled. Soon, however, she came to see the advantages and blessings of being a Daddy’s Girl.
In elementary school, it didn’t take long for the teachers to recognize that V’Ctorea was a very bright child. She learned quickly and declared early-on that she wanted to be a
nurse and work in either OB/GYN or Pediatrics. Bayview Baptist Church had a school called Nubia that specialized in education, training, and career pathways for school-age children. V’Ctorea completed the program, honorably, and received her first stethoscope in the 6th grade!
From a child up, V’Ctorea cared deeply for those in need, serving the less fortunate at St. Vincent DePaul at every opportunity. At age 15, she had the courage to speak up for the poor and challenged the adult staff to not serve food with expired dates to the needy. If they wouldn’t eat it themselves, they shouldn’t serve it to others. They agreed.
Throughout middle school and high school, V’Ctorea continued to excel, finishing classes and exams early, doubling up on AP courses and excelling in virtually everything she attempted. By the 10th grade, at age 16, she had aced AP Biology, AP History, AP English, and completed all her high school credits. Needless to say, she found time to balance her studies with extracurricular sports and activities. Throughout her high school career, V’Ctorea was a member of the Volleyball, Basketball, and the Drill teams. She was instrumental in the creation of a study hall so that the team members could play and maintain their GPA’s. She graduated a year early from Lincoln High School at age 17 and enrolled at Southwestern College.
Kaiser Permanente sponsored a Hippocratic Oath program. V’Ctorea was accepted into that program and finished rearming her a certificate and a stethoscope. RN labs were completed at Grossmont College. Her dream was to attend Howard University, an HBCU. She was industrious and always had a strategic plan.
V’Ctorea passed away on August 26, 2023.
“V’Ctorea, you lived your life with a passion that allowed you to dream, to soar and pursue your purpose on God’s accelerated timeline. My sweet “Nurse T’orea”, you can slow down and rest now. You are our champion! We will soon reunite on the other side.” -Mom and Dad
With his wings he carries you
In his arms he holds you
Tight to avoid a mistake
While on this earth
A place often called a life.
