Virginia Anne "Ginger" Ross

East Peoria – Virginia Anne “Ginger” Ross, 70, of East Peoria, died at 12:00 PM on Friday May 24, 2013 at OSF St Francis Medical Center in Peoria. She was born on May 29, 1942 in Pinson, TN to Carmon “CB” and Martha Ludell Ross Holmes. She married Gregory James Ross on February 21, 1970 in Peoria. She was preceded in death by her parents, one brother, Alford “Alfie” Holmes, one sister, Sandra L. Brooks and her former husband and friend, Gregory, on April 11, 2009. Ginger is survived by three daughters; Mariah (Ron) Schultz of Peoria, Kristin (Eric) Lambert of Naperville, Andria (Scott) Ross Redpath of Minneapolis, MN, two grandchildren; Ethan Lambert and Catherine Redpath, two step-grandchildren; Matt and Lauren Schultz, two brothers; Ross (Jean) Holmes and Rayford Holmes, both of East Peoria and several nieces and nephews. She was a graduate of Eureka College where she was a member of Delta Zeta Sorority and a current member of their Alumni Association. Ginger retired in 2004 from the Social Security Administration where she worked as a service representative for nearly thirty years in Peoria, Pekin, and Joliet. Prior to that, she was a grade school teacher at Roanoke-Benson Grade School and then worked as an activity therapist at Peoria State Hospital where she met her husband-to-be, Greg. Ginger was a University of Illinois Extension Master Gardener, a member of the Tazewell County Master Gardeners, and a member of the City of East Peoria “Green Team”. She was an activist always doing for others and spending countless hours volunteering for various organizations. She loved gardening and yard work and took great pride in making the world more beautiful and “green”. Ginger wanted all the family and friends who knew her to know how much she loved them. There will be a celebration of life service for Ginger on Saturday June 1, 2013 at 11 AM at Deiters Funeral Home and Crematory in East Peoria. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service. The family requests that colorful clothing be worn to honor and celebrate Ginger’s life. Cremation rites have been accorded and a private burial of cremains will be at Calvary Catholic Cemetery in Brimfield.

Virginia Anne "Ginger" Ross

May 29, 1942 - May 24, 2013