Ms. Vanessa Peters

October 15, 1958 - March 19, 2021

Ms. Vanessa Peters, 62, of Peoria, IL passed away at 10:38 pm, Friday, March 19, 2021 at Richard L. Owens Hospice Home from complications of Breast Cancer. Vanessa was born on October 15, 1958 in Peoria, IL to Mary Peters and Fred Rudd. Vanessa was known in the online social media world as “The Reading Lady”. She was a lover of words. She loved not only reading and finding meaning in words, she enjoyed teaching others how to read and decode them. So much so that she developed an online step-by-step free reading class website called, sweetsoundsofreading.com. Vanessa also authored the following five teaching text books: “The Letter Sounds Instant Reading Teacher” and its companion, “Letter Sounds Students’ Workbooks”, the beginner math workbook, “Stay in Your Lane” and the math money workbook, “Cents and Sensibilities,” also the coded learning system workbook, “Roots of Spanish”. Although she was an only child, Vanessa was blessed to be the proud half-sister of ten loving and supportive siblings, their spouses and extended family members, affectionately called the Rudd Family of Smith Street. Vanessa leaves to cherish her most precious memories, her mother, Mary Peters; her daughter, Hasani Peters, her “grand-sun”, LaMaj Washington both of Houston, TX; special aunt, Bertha “Bert” Peters of Peoria, IL; her half-siblings, Linda Turner, Marcia (Lee) Lowe, Fred (Tameka) Rudd, Theresa Gloster, Melissa (Darryl) Bailey, Frank (Brenda) Rudd all of Peoria, IL, Brenda Cayson of Woodstock, GA, Pamela (Ken) Washington of DeSota, TX, Sharon (Michael) Collins of Las Vegas, NV, Laurie (Lloyd) Thompson of Matteson, IL, and a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, other family and friends who adored her. She was preceded in death by her father and grandparents, James and Cleopatra Peters. A private memorial service will be held at 5 pm on Thursday, March 25, 2021 at Simons Mortuary. Deacon Lee Lowe of Grace Apostolic Assembly will officiate. In leu of flowers, Vanessa’s final request is a wish to carry on her legacy of enriching a new generation of readers with learning supplies by making a small donation by going to her website at SweetSoundsofReading.com. 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. Due to Covid-19 restrictions, social distancing and attendance, funerals are limited to 50 family members of the decedents, not including the staff at Simons Mortuary. The chapel can socially distance and seat no more than 50 or less people. All others will be able to flow through prior to beginning of the service. 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. Funerals are limited to no more than 50 of the decedent’s immediate family members. *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 a 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!