Vanessa Lynn (Horton) Mcdougal

Vanessa Lynn Horton McDougal (64) passed away July 4, 2023 due to complications from breast cancer treatment. Vanessa was born on October 8, 1958 to Jim Horton and Dorothy Pepper Horton. She is survived by her loving husband, Ricky McDougal, son, Timothy McDougal, sister, Melissa Horton, and the many birds and squirrels who have made her feeders a staple in their diets.

After a brief service and honorable discharge from the US Airforce and a bit of time exploring California, Vanessa returned to Texas, only to proceed to express her wanderlust across Americas many beaufitul state parks.

Vanessa loved serving good food, and carried the accolade of "Best cook I've ever met" by many. She demonstrated a refined artistic touch with everything she put her mind to. If you wanted to find her, it would be at her workbench painting and bringing clay creatures to life-like status while jamming to Pink Floyd, or performing more classical stylings on the strings of her hammered dulcimer.

Vanessa loved all of Gods little creatures, and (despite Ricky's sighs) would open her home to them. Her menagerie over time included two cats, a parakeet, several fish, and too many dogs. And these are just the ones allowed in the house. She had a unique fondness for insects, and even if she didn't want them too close to her, would never miss the chance to study them in their natural habitats.

Vanessa was a dedicated worker, providing a stable homelife for her family with 25 years as a senior operations assistant to oilfield executives. As anyone who had the pleasure of seeing her in action would surely attest, her work ethic was thorough and unassailable.

Vanessa stood as a beacon in difficult times and offered us a calm and dignified reprieve sprinkled with tidbits of wisdom. We who live to carry her in our hearts will struggle to shine like such a crazy diamond.

Family and friends will gather to celebrate her life from 2:00 ~ 4:00 on Saturday, July 15, 2023, in the Chapel of Rader Funeral Home.

"No matter where you go, there you are." - VLM