Valerie Arnette Pressley 2/14/64 – 7/4/24

Valerie Arnette Pressley was born to Robert Irwin Pressley and Alice Marie Bagwell Pressley on February 14, 1964 at 11:24 am, followed two minutes later by her twin sister, Vivian. Valerie grew up in a loving, close knit family in East Orange, NJ. She went to Elmwood Elementary, where she skipped 2 grades, followed by Vernon L. Davey Middle School. Her mother kept her twins busy with violin lessons, classical ensemble, orchestra, swimming lessons, synchronized swimming, tennis, bowling, and roller skating.

In 1976, Val and Viv won full scholarships to the Morristown Beard School (MBS) and spent a very happy four years commuting by train to that prestigious prep school. At MBS Val was an academic standout, becoming part of the National Junior Honor Society in 10th grade and the Cum Laude Honor Society in 12th. In sports, she played field hockey: goalie [3 varsity letters (10, 11, 12), MBS MVP (12), undefeated state champions (12), All-State (11,12), All-Area (12)]; volleyball: spiker [4 varsity letters, captain (11,12), state champions (12), MBS MVP (12), all state (10, 11, 12)]; tennis: doubles, [3 varsity letters (9, 10, 12), 3rd in the state at 1st doubles with Viv (12), MBS MVP (12), All-State (12)]; and softball: left fielder [1 varsity letter (11), state champions (11)]. Having a twin makes you competitive.

For college, Val chose the University of Southern California (despite acceptances at MIT and Georgia Tech). She’d taken many architecture classes in high school, and her plan was to make that her major. However, finding the professors to be too subjective, she first switched to aerospace, then with some prodding from her twin, changed to computer science (Val’d always say, “1 + 1 always = 2, no matter what anyone thinks”). Also with prodding, this time from her mom, she transferred to the University of Virginia after her freshman year, and the twins were once again united!

In her third year at UVA (that’s junior year to all you non-Wahoos), Val pledged Delta Sigma Theta. She was #13 on the Dynasty line (the group who pledged together) and her line name was Memorex, since she could remember anything. Dynasty continues to have regular reunions, to which Val was a frequent and enthusiastic participant.

After walking down Mr. Jefferson’s beautiful Lawn for UVA graduation in May 1984, Val headed to Austin, TX to work for Texas Instruments. She did software quality assurance, and while there, she got her MBA from the University of Texas at Austin, and was inducted into the Beta Gamma Sigma Honor Society. After five years in Texas, Val packed up her bags and headed to Atlanta, GA. There she worked for Anderson Consulting, and Coca Cola. She came close to getting married, but in the end decided against it. In 1996, Val took a position with AT&T, who paid for her relocation to NJ. She finally got her wish to be closer to family. She worked there for a year, then moved to Bluestone Software in Mount Laurel, NJ. That began 10 years of great software development consulting work and numerous work awards and trips. She bought a house in 1997, right around the corner from Viv, and her mom moved in soon after to be closer to her grandsons.

In 2007, tired of the corporate rat race, Val left Hewlett-Packard (they’d acquired Bluestone) to join Pat Murphy’s real estate agency. After two years, she joined Keller Williams and she never looked back. She immersed herself in the trainings, went to conferences, and completely dove into the philosophy. She joined a Keller Williams real estate agent group called PIVOT that holds a set of daily calls starting during the pandemic. She hosted one of those calls, “Phil Jones Exactly What to Say Scripts & Role Play” weekdays from 8:20-9am. You knew NOT to interrupt Val during those calls! She adored this community and was participating on calls through July 3, 2024.

VAL ADORED TRAVEL. She loved exploring new places, meeting new people, and immersing herself in other cultures. She lived in Switzerland for a year while at Bluestone, and while there she learned German and traveled all over Europe. She famously brought her mother, great aunt, and two friends over to Europe right after 9/11, rented a van, and did a whirlwind tour of Switzerland, Italy, and France. She also skied and did scuba diving all over the world, while her family looked on in awe and enjoyed her informative (and sometimes hilarious) postcards.

Val also loved roller coasters. She’d drop anything to head to Great Adventure with her nephews to catch a few rides on El Toro, Kingda Ka, and Nitro. She went with them to Disney World, Universal Orlando, Hersheypark, Knoebels, Dollywood, Cedar Point, Kings Island, Dorney Park, Busch Gardens Williamsburg, Kennywood, and Wildwood. Her theme park T-shirt collection was UNRIVALLED.

When not travelling, Val enjoyed playing games with her family – Old Bachelor (update of Old Maid), NYT Connections, Uno, Spoons, etc. She also enjoyed movies. The family had AMC memberships and typically saw movies every week. She particularly enjoyed horror movies and taking all kinds of different foods into the movie theater…

Val was a dedicated Rotarian. She joined the Willingboro Rotary in 2013, was Club Secretary 2015-17, and President in 2017. She was a prolific fundraiser and gave regularly to the Rotary International Foundation, becoming a Paul Harris fellow in 2022, because of her donations.

Val attended St. Paul A.M.E. Church as a child, then First African Presbyterian and Willingboro Presbyterian. She was a Deacon, an Elder, played in the Bell Choir, and even did some sermons from time to time.

Val’s love of life, unbridled exuberance, and dazzling smile were contagious. She’s remembered by her twin sister Vivian, brother-in-law David, nephews Austin and Hunter, numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins, friends, colleagues, and clients who were fortunate enough to know her.  

Hopefully you got to sing karaoke or ride a roller coaster with her! 

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