Ms. Valerie Lynn Kelley

August 5, 1981 - April 7, 2022

Ms. Valerie Lynn Kelley, 40, of Peoria, IL transitioned to her heavenly home at 11:51pm on Thursday, April 7, 2022 at OSF Richard L. Owens Hospice Home. Valerie, affectionately known as Val, was born on August 5, 1981 in Peoria, IL to Viola (Lewis) Jowers and Kenneth Kelley. Val attended Peoria Public Schools, graduating from Peoria Central High School in 1999. Val attended the University of Illinois, Champaign Urbana, graduating from the University of Illinois, Springfield with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Accountancy. After graduating, she worked for Clifton-Gunderson Accounting, then went on to work for PCCEO (Peoria Citizens Committee for Economic Opportunity, Inc.) as a payroll clerk until she entered the hospital on Christmas Day 2021. Val accepted Christ as a child. She loved going to church and had been singing since she was three years old. She was a member of Star of Hope Full Gospel Church where she was the minister of music. Val had a strong bond with Bishop Joseph Johnson. Val was active in the Peoria theatre community performing in several musical productions at the Peoria Players and Corn Stock Theatre. She was also a member of the Board of Directors at Corn Stock Theatre. Val had a good sense of humor. She was funny, intelligent, compassionate and loving. Those are only a few of her endearing qualities. Val loved children and had a special way with them. Babies loved her! Val’s cousins called her “The Baby Whisperer”. She loved good food and loved to cook. She also loved singing and dancing. Val was a movie buff, watching game shows and HDTV. Val had a more than extraordinary bond with her mother. They loved being together with her and her family. Val leaves many to cherish her most precious memories, her mother, Viola (Andrew) Jowers; her father, Kenneth Kelley; one brother, Keenen Kelley; three sisters, Danielle Kelley, Karen Dawson and Kay Kelley all of Peoria, IL and a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews; other relatives and friends. She is preceded in death by her grandparents, Floyd and Rosie Lewis and Keith and Shirley Kelley. Funeral services will be held at 10 am on Saturday April 16, 2022 at Star of Hope Full Gospel Church with a visitation one-hour prior beginning at 9 am. Bishop Joseph Johnson will officiate. Valerie will be laid to rest at Swan Lake Memory Gardens. Simons Mortuary has been entrusted with arrangements. Online condolences may be made at SimonsMortuary.com. The service will be live streamed on Simons Mortuary's Website or Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/Simons-Mortuary-232095303487150 promptly AT THE TIME OF THE SERVICE (Central Time). Due to Covid-19, social distancing is encouraged to be consistent with recommendations from the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA), funeral home directors have been instructed and should follow CDC guidelines on gatherings, including those directly related to funerals, visitations, or graveside services. *In an effort to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, we ask that everyone in attendance: wear a face mask and refrain from hugging, kissing and shaking hands (as hard as it is to see someone you care about and not touch them). *It is our responsibility as Funeral Directors, to do everything we can to advise families in order to honor our beloved Families and to keep everyone as safe as possible. Thanks in advance for your cooperation!