Winnetta Lurabelle Peters, died peacefully on January 26, 2024, at the age of 97, at her daughters home rural Lewistown, Illinois. Born on August 3, 1926, in Bryant, Illinois, she was a daughter to the late Arlo Jackson and Winnetta Luela (McCullough) Ford, and grew up in a large and lively family.
For twelve rewarding years, Winnetta served as the respected Manager at Kelly Ladies Retirement Home, touching many lives with her care until her retirement in 2004. She also offered her thoughtful services as a house sitter, caring for the homes of others as if they were her own. Known for her extraordinary work ethic, she devoted herself wholeheartedly to every task she undertook.
Winnetta carried her love for beauty and passion for creation into her personal life. A talented oil painter, her art was as radiant and elegant as her spirit. Her flair for decorating was unmatched, turning every space she touched into a celebration of warmth and welcome. It was the “family park,” a place woven from her imagination for loved ones to gather, that stood as a testament to her ingenuity and enduring dedication to her family.
The proud mother of the late Maria L. (David) Phillips of Wataga, Illinois and Winnetta Lynn (Jack) Danner of Lewistown, Illinois, and adoring sister to Winona Pawnee Algren of Galesburg, Illinois, Winnetta’s love blossomed further to embrace six grandchildren, fifteen great-grandchildren, and one great-great-granddaughter. Though she was preceded in death by her brothers Bill Haney, Jack, Joe, Charles, and infant James Ford, and her sister Mary Helen Edwards, the legacy she leaves behind in her family’s hearts is eternal.
Described best as loving, thoughtful, and endlessly creative, Winnetta’s spirit will be deeply missed and forever cherished by her loved ones. Her passion for life manifested most beautifully in the time spent with her grandchildren, on the farm and amidst family—her favorite artwork of all.
Cremation will be accorded and a celebration of life will be held April 6, 2024 at the Ford Family Memorial Park, Cuba, Illinois. Arrangements have been entrusted to Watson Thomas Funeral Home and Crematory, Galesburg. Online expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.watsonthomas.com.
