Cynthia "Cindy" Ventress' Obituary
Decatur – Cynthia Ann Ventress of Decatur, Illinois, passed away on Friday, June 28, 2019. Cindy was in her happiest possible setting at the time, at home surrounded by family. Cindy lived almost the entirety of her 67 years in Decatur, with brief stints in Mattoon, South Dakota, and Thailand while her husband, Gary, was serving in the Air Force. She is survived by her mother Marilyn Thornton; husband Gary; children Steven, Stephanie, and Seth; daughters-in-law Jennifer and Rachel; grandchildren Cody, Grayson, Anna, Olivia, and Abigail; brother and sister-in-law Mark and Cheryl Thornton and sister-in-law Sherry Stewart; several nieces and nephews; and more cousins than could be counted, many of whom she kept in regular contact. She was preceded in death by her father, Oliver Thornton, and sisters Linda Oyler and Kathleen Thornton.
Anyone who knew Cindy knew she had three main passions in life: her relationship with Christ, her family, and missions. The first gives us great joy in this time, that while we miss her more than could ever be expressed by words, she is currently in infinite and eternal joy in the presence of her Savior; if anyone has heard “Well done my good and faithful servant” upon arrival at the pearly gates it was her. Cindy’s family was definitely her greatest joy in this life. In fact, doting on us was probably the closest she had to a hobby. As for her passion in missions, Cindy contributed to the Gospel effort in many known and unknown ways. Most notably, she taught/led the Girls in Action ministry at every church at which she was a member: Salem and Tabernacle Baptist Churches in Decatur, Temple Baptist in Box Elder, South Dakota, and 1st Baptist in Mattoon. She was also passionate about serving the Christian Activity Center in East St. Louis. With these two ministries, Cindy was extremely passionate about the SBC Cooperative Program, serving through GA’s, WMU, and pen-palling several missionaries.
One thing of which Cindy and her family are extremely proud is that after being a stay-at-home mom (the best ever), she graduated college the same year as her youngest son with a teaching degree. This was not separate from Cindy’s passion for missions and loving people, as she saw her time at Harris Elementary School as a ministry and loved her students and coworkers.
Visitation will be from 4 to 7 pm Tuesday, July 2, 2019, at Tabernacle Baptist Church. Services to celebrate her life will be 10 am Wednesday at the church. Burial will follow in Salem Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, Cindy’s family requests you make a donation to the Christian Activity Center in East St. Louis, IL.
Graceland/Fairlawn Funeral Home and Cremation Center is in charge of the arrangements. Condolences and memories may be shared at www.gracelandfairlawn.com.
What’s your fondest memory of Cynthia?
What’s a lesson you learned from Cynthia?
Share a story where Cynthia's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Cynthia you’ll never forget.
How did Cynthia make you smile?