Vernon Lee Hurst

“Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. Acts 4:12 KJV Mr. Vernon “Lee” Hurst On a Friday, November 4, 1966 at Fort Knox Army Medical Center in Fort Knox, Kentucky a Son, a Brother, a Grandson, a Father, an Uncle, a Cousin, a Cherished Friend, an Artist, a Dancer, a Singer, a Performer, a Comedian of sorts, a Writer and Poet, a Kind Hearted and Loving Individual was intentionally Molded by GOD’s Hands, Crafted in Love, Power and Grace, and was sent to Earth to profoundly touch each one of our lives that he shared. Born to the parents of Rev. Dr Marvin Hurst, Jr. and Mrs. Vernon Eleanor Hurst (his name-sake), he was affectionately known by his family and great friends as “Lee”. To know Lee, was also to know that he cherished life and enjoyed the simple pleasures of spending time with his family, cooking, drawing, dancing, listening to music, singing as a member on the church choir, completing daily household chores, lawn-care, playing basketball, watching a Seattle Seahawks football game(which he considered his home team) and caring for his “adopted” dog name Dusty! There is not a time that comes to memory, when Lee, even through sickness and pain, refused to help an individual in need. He was always involved in his family's life, from summer camping trips taken in France, to board games, BBQ’s, playing round or two of pool, spades and dominos, which were a few of his favorites. Vernon Lee began traveling the globe at an early age, from his starting point in Kentucky, to Europe, and even working on a fishing boat cannery in Alaska. He graduated with a Performing Arts Diploma from Puyallup High School located in Washington State, in1983 at the age of 17 years old. Lee authored many spiritual poems collectively over the years as a show of his unwavering reverence and love for God. He had accepted Christ at an early age, and was baptized. Lee was a devoted servant, singing in every church choir that he was a member of over the years. And also served faithfully as a usher and was involved on the Jr. Deacon Board. Plain and simple, his love for God was first and foremost in his life and it showed. Lee was a living example of the scripture: Proverbs 22:6 “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. He proved this scripture to be true, by the exceptional care given daily to his mother. He was preceded in death by his father: Rev. Dr. Marvin Hurst, Jr., his sister: Angela Renata Hurst, his son: Jeron Christopher Hurst and his son: De’lante Ryan Hurst. He leaves to celebrate his earthly legacy and memories, his mother: Mrs. Vernon Eleanor Hurst of Snellville, GA, his son: Mr. Olujumi Nasir Hurst of Anderson, SC, his son: Mr. Tezhyon M. Veion Jenkins of Newbern, NC, his son: Lil Master Devon Hurst of Greenville, SC, his sister: Mrs. Lynette Darlene Freeman-Simmons (Mr. Eddie S. Simmons) of Lithonia, GA, his brother: Mr. Spencer Henry Hurst-Bey (Mrs. Jane Whittington-Bey) of Baltimore, MD, his sister: Ms. Cassandra Marvina Hurst of Snellville, GA, his brother: Dr. Kenneth Christian Hurst (Mrs. Crystal S. Hurst) of San Francisco, CA, his brother: Mr. Salladeen Ali Muhammed (Mrs. Angela J. Muhammed) of Snellville, GA, a nephew: Mr. Warren Salim Freeman of Norcross, GA, his nephew: Mr. Shakir Hashim Freeman (Mrs.Danita Freeman) of Decatur, GA, his nephew: Mr. Heyward Trent Chapman, Jr. (Mrs. Dominique C. Chapman) of Alpharetta, GA, his nephew Mr. LaQuan Lee (Mrs. Deena Lee) of Easley, SC: his niece: Mrs. Taffiney LaShonda Simmons (Mr. Michael J. Simmons) of Dallas, TX, his nephew: Mr. Kenneth Christian Hurst, Jr. (Mrs. Debra C. Hurst) of Vista, CA, his nephew: Mr. Jamaul Terrell Chapman (Mrs. Denise Chapman) of Simpsonville, SC, his nephew: Mr. Kershon Torr’e Chapman of Atlanta, GA, his nephew Mr. Michael Jerome Hurst, Jr. of Tacoma, WA, his nephew: Mr. Marvin Hurst, III of Snellville, GA, his nephew: Sgt. Aaron Torr’on Chapman, Sr. (Mrs. Sarah A. Chapman) of Savannah, GA, his niece: Angela Ta’Niece Badeaux (Sgt. Tayler J. P. Badeaux) of Seattle, WA, his niece: Miss Shakeria Iyanna Freeman of Lithonia, GA, his niece: Miss Saiyesha Aliyah Hurst of Snellville, GA, his niece: Lil Miss Paradise Zynaiah Muhammed of Snellville, GA, his nephew: Lil Master Austin Taylor Hurst of Snellville, GA, his aunt: Mrs. Alice Marie Greene of Plainfield, NJ, his uncle: Mr. James Allen Hurst (Mrs. Saundra Hurst) of Mauldin, SC, his aunt: Mrs. Sylvia Patrica Pinkney of Wilmington, DE, a multitude of cousins, grand-nieces, grand-nephews, extended family and endearing friends. ***Inserts from Vernon Lee Hurst personal journal: “You can enslave my body, but never my mind. Place me in a cell, for a very long time. Stare at me through bars of steel, all the time wondering if it’s for real. But whatever the reason, no matter the amount of time, I will always be free because of my ability to dream, you can never enslave my mind”. -VLH 01/01/19 “While I wrestle with my demons, God I thank you for the strength to continue and the courage to fight” -VLH 02/19/20

Tributes

Vernon Lee Hurst

November 4, 1966 - July 16, 2021