Vera Beckham Gnevo, 85, of Bonnie, Illinois passed away at 7:25 P.M. on Sunday, January 17, 2010 at St. John's Hospital in Springfield, Illinois.

She was born on Monday, September 15, 1924 in Bluford, Illinois the daughter of the late Walter G. and Gertie (Staley) Brown.

She married Knox J. Beckham in Perryville, Missouri on April 20, 1942 and he preceded her in death on September 27, 1994.

She married John Gnevo on March 22, 1997 in Bonnie, Illinois and he preceded her in death on August 2, 1998.

Surviving family members include her 2 Daughters: Donna Kolle and husband Jack of Lake Villa, Illinois and Beverly Montgomery and husband Jerry of Bonnie, Illinois; 7 Grandchildren: Kathleen Grasser of Wauconda, Illinois, Bradley Cockrum and wife Donna of Grayslake, Illinois, Bryan Cockrum of Chicago, Illinois, Matthew Cockrum and wife Katy of Cary, Illinois, Amy Neibel and husband Todd of Carmi, Illinois, Heather Montgomery-Rush of Ina, Illinois and Crystal Hemby and husband Mike of Texico, Illinois; 2 Sisters: Velma Greenwalt of Mt. Vernon, Illinois and LaVada Morgan and husband Bob of Bonnie, Illinois; Brother: Floyd Brown and wife Shirley of Dix, Illinois; 2 Stepdaughters: Susan Gajewski and husband Ron of Mt. Vernon, Illinois and Betty Stelmazewski of San Antonio, Texas; 16 Great Grandchildren; 4 Great Great Grandchildren; 3 Step Grandchildren and Several Nieces and Nephews also survive.

Her parents, husbands, one sister: Lorraine Brown and one brother: Willie Brown preceded her in death.

Vera was a member of Antioch Missionary Baptist Church. She worked at the Mt. Vernon Shoe Factory and loved cooking, quilting and fishing.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 A.M. on Friday, January 22, 2010 at Hughey Funeral Home in Mt. Vernon, Illinois. Reverend Kenneth Holland, Reverend Larry Gowler and Reverend Jerry Montgomery will officiate. Interment will follow at South Hickory Hill Cemetery in Jefferson County, Illinois.

Visitation will be held from 5 to 8:00 P.M. on Thursday, January 21, 2010 at Hughey Funeral Home in Mt. Vernon, Illinois.

For those who wish, memorials may be given to the Illinois Baptist Association Haiti Fund in memory of Vera Beckham Gnevo and will be accepted at the funeral home or may be mailed to Hughey Funeral Home, P.O. Box 721, Mt. Vernon, Illinois 62864