Parnell "P.T." "Cookie Monster" Thomas, 91, passed on July 29, 2026 at home after a long illness. He was born June 29, 1935 in Mt. Holly, AR, the son of Bob and Tommie Lee Thomas, and lived in Rockford since 1957, and moved to Mesa, AZ, in 2021. P.T. previously lived in Camden, AR and Detroit, MI. He attended school in Mt. Holly. Parnell was car detailer, a construction worker, a bus driver and a proud Teamster truck driver. He retired from Roadway Express in 1999 after 30 years. Parnell was active in Forest City Modulators and motorcycle clubs, Trailblazers, The Brothers and GWRRA. He was a devoted member of Jerusalem Missionary Baptist Church. Parnell enjoyed talking, riding his motorcycle, talking on a CB and walking. He will be remembered for eating ice cream and cookies every night, hence, his nickname.
Parnell is loved and missed by his wife, Virginia Thomas, whom he married on April 29, 2006; children, Kelven (Mary) Thomas, Craig (Carrie) Ridgle, Karmon (Joseph Tidwell) Thomas, Nathaniel Thomas and Afton Thomas; step-children, Shirley Wilkens, Michele, Andre and Monica Baeza and Joe Wright; brother, Aaron (Kim) Thomas; sister, Carolyn Butler; sister-in-laws, India and Barb Thomas; brother-in-law, Willie Arnold; numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren and five great-great-grandchildren; as well as nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, infant daughter, Elizabeth; daughters, Sharon and Stephanie "Mookie," sisters Rosie Arnold and Odessa Albert; brothers, Robert, Cherio, Johnnie, and Garland Thomas; step-children, J.W. Ross and Lillian Criss; brother-in-law, Samuel Albert. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.
A visitation will be held from 3:00-5:00 p.m., Sunday, August 9, 2026 at Sunset Funeral Home, 8800 N. Alpine Rd, Machesney Park, IL 61115. A visitation will be held from 9:00-11:00 a.m., Monday, August 10, 2026 at Jerusalem Missionary Baptist Church, 301 Klines Ave, Rockford, IL 61102 with a funeral service to begin at 11:00 a.m. Entombment to follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens.
