Bea, as she liked to be called, was born in Oxford, Mississippi on April 29, 1932, to Andrew and Sarah (Doxie) Jones. She later moved to Peoria, IL where she met and married Tommie Parker, Sr. for over 60 years. He passed away on June 22, 2013.
Bea has been a member of St. Paul Baptist Church since 1952 where she served as President of the Mission and Vice President of the Senior Ministry. She worked at Thompson’s Food Basket and retired after working there for over 30 years. Bea enjoyed entertaining, playing cards, and working in the yard, but her greatest joy was spending time with her family. Granny, as the grandchildren called her, was the best wife, mother, grandmother, family member, and friend that anyone could ever ask for. She will be so greatly missed by all those who knew and loved her.
She is survived by three sons, Bryan (Andrea), Rick, and Derrick (Tonya); five grandchildren, Landon (Melanie), Colin, Brittany, Brooklyn, and Sidney (Trey); seven great-grandchildren, Myles, Colten, Calen, Kendall, Nori, Avery, and Carsyn; and a host of nieces, nephews, and friends.
She is preceded by her parents; her husband; son, Tommie, Jr.; seven sisters; and two brothers.
A Funeral Service for Bea will be held on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. with a Visitation one hour prior at St. Paul Baptist Church, located on 114 W Forrest Hill Ave, Peoria, IL 61604. Committal service afterwards will be at Swan Lake Memory Gardens in Peoria, IL.
Memorial contributions in honor of Bea can be made to the Graceland Center for Purposeful Aging in Peoria, IL.
