Annetta Ballesteros

Mom lived in Kentucky until about nine years of age when her family moved to Illinois, where she lived most of her life. Living on a farm and being raised in a Christian home gave Mom a firm, hardworking foundation on her path in life. Life was not always easy, but she made the best of everything that came her way.

While attending Alton High School, she met the love of her life, Vincent Manual Ballesteros, and they were married on July 20, 1957. They moved to Bethalto in 1962. Together, they had three children: Vicky Lynn (Ballesteros) Kool, who lives in Bailey, Colorado; Gary Vincent Ballesteros, who lives in Bethalto, Illinois; and Sharon Jean Ballesteros, who lives in Kuttawa, Kentucky.

From her kids, Mom enjoyed ten grandchildren and double the number of great-grandchildren spread out from Illinois, Colorado, Kentucky, Florida, and Indiana. Mom took time to see and spend time with them, and they all loved and adored her deeply. Even today, they reminisce about her sweetness, soft skin, and how good of a cook and advisor she was. She made the best coconut cream and chocolate pies that were a delight to sink your teeth into, and you could always count on her to give you good advice when you asked for it.

Mom's talents were endless. She was an immaculate seamstress, making school clothes for us girls and prom and bridesmaid dresses for those special occasions. She could paint beautifully on wood and canvas; later in life, she learned stained glass art. Although she never graduated from high school, Mom went back to school and got her GED around the age of forty. She always found time to volunteer in our kids' activities. She was a Girl Scout Cookie Chairman and made flags for our award ceremonies.

Mixed in with all of Mom's talents, she endured and made it through many health issues, including cancer and two heart surgeries. She always moved forward and kept her faith, knowing God was in control. She very rarely said a crossword, and she never held a grudge. Her go-to word when she was frustrated was "Oh, sh*t," which to this day is something she passed on to us kids.

Mom loved to travel, and together, she and Dad were able to see almost all the sights in the United States they wanted, from the East Coast to the West Coast. After traveling in their motorhome for many years, they settled in Colorado for a few years before returning to her hometown in Kentucky. Mom and Dad had a house built just up the street from where she was born, doing a lot of the work themselves, once again building on their firm foundational love and commitment together.

Mom was predeceased by her parents, Johnnie and Lillian Arlene, along with two siblings, Harold Cornell and Ambrose Odell. She is survived by her husband Vince, two brothers, Don Wilber and John Randall, and her three children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and many friends.

Mom and Dad celebrated 64 years together, and by the look in their eyes and actions, you could still see that love that began as high school sweethearts.

Mom left a legacy that will live on forever. She is and always will be in our hearts forever. What a blessing she was and still is.

We look forward to seeing her and wrapping our arms around her in heaven someday, where we will spend our eternal life with Jesus Christ, who called her home on September 12, 2021.