Vennetta Joliff's Obituary
Vennetta Elaine (Richards) Joliff, 86, of Decatur, Illinois, passed away Monday morning, January 19, 2026, at The Loft Rehabilitation of Decatur, with family by her side. She was born December 30, 1939, in Streator, Illinois, a daughter of the late Leonard Henry Richards and the late Esta Irene (Wilkerson) Richards. She was the oldest of eight children and after her father passed away when she was seventeen, a lot of her time was spent taking care of her younger siblings.
Caring for people was her passion, and she went on to graduate from Nurses School. In 1960, she married the love of her life, Carl Richard Joliff. During the following years, she and Carl moved around several times starting Christian Churches. She also worked as an RN in various departments including the Emergency Room, OB Department, Floor Nurse and later worked with Visiting Nurses, Hospice and was the Director of Nurses for a few nursing homes.
She had a strong Christian faith and loved being involved in her church whether it be singing in the choir or teaching classes. She also enjoyed the beauty of flowers and became an Illinois Master Gardener. Her other interests included reading, sewing, making fabulous yeast rolls, cooking, eating biscuits and gravy, cheering for the Illini and the Chicago Bears.
Vennetta was loved by so many people, especially her family. She was always on the move and ready to go places but occasionally used her "Grandma Skills" when the situation required it. She was very blessed with her faith, and her family finds comfort in knowing that she is watching over them from Heaven. Vennetta was an amazing, beautiful and loving woman who leaves a permanent mark on the hearts of all who knew her. She will be sorely missed by her husband of sixty-five years, Carl Joliff, and her children, Beverly (John) Evitt, John (Diana) Joliff and Paul Joliff. She was a very proud grandma of Alicia, Amanda (Matt), Luke (Taylor), Kelsey (Teddy), Chelzee and John Henry. GG, as they called her, enjoyed hearing about the antics and accomplishments of her great-grandchildren, Roman, Aaliyah, Jasper, Madison, Savannah, Margot, Louise and Penny. She will also be sadly missed by her sister, Joy Battagliotti, as well as many nieces, nephews, and friends.
She was preceded in death by her father - Leonard, her mother - Esta, brothers Jeff and Bill, and sisters Sharon, Pat, Linda and Marsha and her best friend, Jo Scott.
A visitation for Vennetta will be held from 9:00am to 10:00am on Saturday, January 31, 2026, at Graceland/Fairlawn Funeral Home. A celebration of Life will be held from 10:00am to 11:00am following the visitation. A graveside service will be at 2:00pm that day at the Edgewood Cemetery in Edgewood, Illinois.
In Memory "It broke our hearts to lose you, but you did not go alone. A part of us went with you, the day God took you home. If tears could build a stairway, and heartaches make a lane, we'd walk our way to Heaven and bring you back again. In life we loved you dearly, in death we love you still, in our hearts you hold a place no one could ever fill." -unknown
"Spread your wings and I know that when God took you back,, He said, "Hallelujah you're home." - excerpt from Ed Sheeran's song, Supermarket Flowers.
In lieu of flowers and for those who wish, Vennetta requested that a tree be planted in her memory.
Condolences and memories may be shared online at https//www.gracelandfairlawn.com. Graceland/Fairlawn is in charge of arrangements.
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