Sandra J. "Sandy" Ross Livingston

She was born May 18, 1943 in Lincoln, IL to Melvin and Alberta (Covington) Ross. She married Duane H. Livingston on August 14, 1960 in Decatur, IL. He survives.

Also surviving are her children: Melody (Norman) Tarleton of Glendale, AZ, Duane Douglas Livingston of Fayetteville, AR, Eric S. Livingston, Sr. of Phoenix, AZ; four sisters: Melba (Preston) Jackson of Dunlap, IL, Verna Ross of St. Louis, MO, Paula (Russell) Taylor of Bolingbrook, IL, Mary Campbell of Riverside, CA; one brothe:r Keith Ross of Sacramento, CA; her mother, Alberta M. Readye of Decatur, IL; six grandchildren, one great-granddaughter, two very special nieces, Natalie (Dexter) O’Neal of Dunlap and Alice (Yacouba) Traore of Madison, WI; and a host of other nieces, nephews, cousins and other family members.

She was preceded in death by her maternal grandparents, Arthur and Mary Covington of Clinton, IL for whom she forever maintained a special place in her heart. She was also preceded in death by her father, Melvin; her stepfather, Rev David E. Readye; and brother, David Readye, Jr.

Sandy was educated in the public school system in Clinton, IL and earned her Child Development Associate (CDA) from Illinois Central College in East Peoria, IL. Although she was employed by other businesses and organizations during the course of her career, she eventually gravitated to her life’s passion… the education and mentoring of young children. She taught in the Head Start Pre-School program for many years, retiring in 1993 to devote more time as a home maker and community volunteer in Peoria, IL and Scottsdale, AZ. She was a member of Ward Chapel AME Church, Country Club of Peoria, Creve Coeur Club, Contemporary Art Center of Peoria, IL and the Ancala Country Club in Scottsdale, AZ. She served on several community organizations and Boards, her most favorite of which were the Pediatric Resource Center (PRC) and the Heritage Ensemble.

Sandy was a woman who touched many lives with her infectious smile and gracious personality. She continued to mentor young children wherever her many travels took her. She was a devout Christian and maintained her faith until the very end. She was a very special woman who will never be replaced in our hearts and will forever be missed.

Visitation will be from 5 P.M. to 8 P.M., Friday, February 4, 2011 at Woolsey-Wilton Funeral Home, 2408 West Willow Knolls Drive, Peoria, IL 61614. Also, there will be a viewing one hour prior to the funeral service at the church. Funeral services will be held at 11 A.M., Saturday, February 5, 2011 at Church of the Living God, 2815 West Lake Avenue, Peoria, Illinois 61615. Rev. James Bailey will officiate. A graveside memorial service and interment will be at Green Acres Cemetery in Scottsdale, Arizona at a later date.

In Lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Livingston Endowed Scholarship Fund for High Potential Minority Students at Illinois State University (http://advancement.illinoisstate.edu/livingston) or Bradley University (https://campaign.bradley.edu/ssl/gift/). Memorials may also be made to the Illinois Cancer Center in Peoria, IL.

Online tributes and condolences may be made at www.woolsey-wilton.com.