Rodney Ross Thomas, 93, formerly of Edinburg, IL and Bloomington, IL, passed away February 21, 2021 in Pink Hill, NC. He was the last living child of Kenneth Wright and Lelia Ross Thomas. He was born September 19, 1927 in Madisonville, KY. At the age of 3, Rodney and his family made their way to Illinois in a Model T and horse & wagon.

Rodney married the love of his life, Marcella Louis (Sally) Hartwig on October 19, 1947 at the Berea Christian Church, Mt Auburn, IL. They lived a happy Christian life together, raising 4 children. They loved to camp, travel, play cards, and a host of many other hobbies. Rodney was a farmer early in his life and then worked for Farm Service (FS)/Growmark for 38 years. Sally passed away February 1, 2001. Rodney then moved to North Carolina in 2006 to live with his daughter and son-in-law. While there he enjoyed gardening, planting and caring for many trees, raising chickens, traveling and learning about North Carolina, and giving his grandkids and great grandkids many golf cart rides around the farm.

Surviving children are daughter Nancy A. Miller (James) of Stella, NC, son Kerry R. Thomas (Linda) of Cissna Park, IL, and daughter-in-law Denise Thomas-Ruby (John) of New Berlin, IL, sisters-in-law: Jeanne Thomas of Barrington, IL and Norma Hartwig of Springfield, IL; brother-in-law: John Hartwig of Taylorville, IL; 14 grandchildren, and 32 great grandchildren.

Preceded in death, wife Sally, sons David J. and Gregory A., parents K.W. and Lelia, and his 4 brothers and 2 sisters.

Celebration of life service will be at Berea Christian Church and Cemetery, 3096 N 2025 East Road, Mt Auburn, IL, at 10:00 AM on Saturday, June 26, 2021. Dawson & Wikoff West Wood Street Funeral Home is assisting the family with the services.