She was born to Andrew Thornton, Jr. and Mary Johnson. Valerie was a devoted mother, grandmother, and an avid cook. She took great pride in culinary and unselfishly fed people. In addition to cooking, she cherished her relationship with her three daughters and her grandchildren. She enjoyed and valued her quality time with family, hosting parties, celebrating life, as well as traveling. Valerie was well known for being fancy and passionate about wearing sequin clothing. She had a genuine soul with a heart of gold and her love was unmatched; her life was fulfilled. More importantly, she was true to herself and lived life on her terms.

She was preceded in death by her father, Andrew Thronton, Jr.

She leaves to cherish her memories her mother; Mary Johnson; her children, Hollis Snead (Brian), LaTasha Hicks (Karey), LaKischa Hicks-Judge (Jabari, Sr.);bonus daughter, Tammy Daniels (Maurice), and god-daughter, Nicole Tiller; god mother, Mollie Lue Hicks; grandchildren, Shannon Smith Jr., Gabriel Thompkins II, Alexis Thompkins, Destiny Judge, JaNiya Judge, Ronde Mack, Jabari Judge Jr., Cayden Irvin, and Dynasti Judge; bonus grandchildren, Theartis Fennell III, Meisha Fennell, Jabari Daniels, Rhys Daniels, Christina Snead, Brian Snead, and Freddie Martin; great-grandchildren, Arraya Smith, Gabriel Thompkins, Dion Mohammed, Jr., DaSeir Mohammed, DaSiah Mohammed, Jamyra Tramel, Aeko Snead and Kahlani Martin; sons, Roland Barton of Tampa, FL; Maurice Barton of Jacksonville, FL; Ronald Thornton and Andrew Thornton III both of Sacramento, CA; sisters, Binita Johnson (Alvin) of Oakland, CA, Ramona Butler of Sacramento, CA, Cecilia Akins of Tampa, FL and sister/cousin, Angela Murillo of Tampa, FL; best friends, Starlita Redfern and Iris Bird; special friends, Ola Gimblet, Carolyn Dennis Bethel and Dwayne Black Hall; a host of other relatives and friends is too numerous to name. It would cause enormous lament to Valeries heart to miss naming any person. However, space is inadequate to name every family member and friend whose life she touched. Therefore, everyone who has alphabets from A to Z in their name is now acknowledged.