Bobbi Jo Parsley

Bobbi Jo Parsley, 53, of Atwood, Illinois, passed away Thursday, August 20, 2026, at Mattoon Rehabilitation Center, Mattoon, Illinois.

Born May 23, 1973, in Decatur, Illinois, Bobbi Jo was raised by her beloved grandparents, Paul Edward "Gramps" and Eunice Kay "Frog" Jay. Eunice, Paul’s second wife, loved Bobbi Jo dearly, nicknamed her Tadpole, and taught her Bible scriptures and biblical stories. Bobbi Jo was a 1991 graduate of Tuscola High School. Named for Bobbie Jo Bradley, a character on Petticoat Junction, she was the youngest of seven children.

Bobbi Jo married Ranel Joe "Joseph" Parsley on June 29, 1991, at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Decatur, Illinois. They made their home at 224 E. Cedar in Atwood, a treasured family home with deep roots in the community. Before the house was built in the 1800s, her ancestors maintained a smokehouse on the property.

Bobbi Jo worked at Dress Barn, Kmart, Harry & David, and Douglas Nightingale Manor, where she met her husband, Joseph. Their favorite outing was to grab a bite to eat from the deli (roast beef sandwiches and chips) or McDonald’s and head over to Walnut Point State Park, Oakland, IL or Ervin Park in Tuscola, IL and sit enjoying nature one another’s company together. She was the loving mother of Hannah Leigh Parsley Swarms and son-in-law Aaron Douglas Swarms, and the proud Grammy of her beloved grandson, Silas Joseph Swarms, age 7. Hannah, Aaron, and Silas make their home in Hammond, Illinois. Hannah was the apple of her mother’s eye and through Hannah’s multiple surgeries and migraine headaches she never left Hannah’s side. As Hannah grew older she made sure she took piano lessons, ballet from age 5-14, karate and made sure she was involved as a girl scout. Bobbi Jo was the loudest and proudest parent in the audience.

Bobbi Jo enjoyed crafting and had a special gift for redesigning décor from Dollar Tree and working with clay. She loved baby pink and neutral colors, covered bridges, and the sound of locusts. An avid animal activist, she cherished Halloween and loved her annual Halloween bonfire with family and friends. She took special joy and care in decorating her Christmas tree, which was filled with gingerbread-themed ornaments and looked as though it had come straight from Candy Land and a upscale department store window from New York City. Her favorite movies she watched with family every year were The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown; Dark Night of the Scarecrow; and A Christmas Carol. Bobbi Jo had a Kermit the Frog stuffed animal that she adored from her childhood.

She also loved The Golden Girls, The Three Stooges, Jeopardy! Supermarket Sweep, classic black-and-white horror movies from the 1940s, and, of course, Scooby-Doo, Where Are You!

In addition to her husband, daughter, son-in-law, and grandson, she is also survived by her mother, Sharon Susan "Sue" Pepple of Mt. Zion Health and Rehab Center in Mt. Zion, Illinois. Bobbi Jo is survived by her siblings, in birth order: Carrie Sue (Bradford) Bradshaw, née Renshaw, of Decatur, Illinois; Mark Edward (Chris) Renshaw of Decatur, Illinois; Candy Lee (Ronnie) Lee of Goose Creek, South Carolina; Troy Anthony Renshaw; and Sonya Ann (Tommy) Thompson of Ridgeville, South Carolina.

She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Paul Edward "Gramps" and Eunice Kay "Frog" Jay, biological Grandmother Lena Mae Duncan Cripe, and her sister, Tonya Ann Renshaw, who was stillborn. Her biological father Howard Selle, and stepfather Rocky Pepple

Bobbi Jo was very spiritual and a servant of God. She could read, recite, and share the Gospel with any friend or stranger who needed guidance. She was a devoted Grammy to Silas and deeply enjoyed his daily hugs and kisses, even the day before her passing. Three days before she passed, she spoke of Tonya Ann, her baby sister. Bobbi Jo knew she was preparing to cross over and told Hannah, Joe, Aaron, and Silas that she was ready, though she did not know how to make it happen. Her family believes Tonya Ann came to escort her home to her Heavenly Father.

SERVICE INFORMATION

Visitation will be held August 27, 2026, from 12:00 to 2:00 p.m. at Hilligoss Shrader Funeral Home. 66 East US Highway 36, Atwood, Pastor Rodney Burris will be officiating. Graveside services will immediately follow at Mackville Cemetery in Atwood, Illinois. Family and friends are invited afterward to share a meal sponsored by the ladies of her congregation at Open Hearts Four Square Church, 762 East 1700 North Road, Monticello, Illinois, at 4:00 p.m.

Visit www.hilligossshraderfh.com To Sign the Keepsake Memorial Book (available for purchase), Send flowers, or plant a memorial tree. Donations can be made to the American Heart Association.

Bobbi Jo will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by her family, friends, and all who knew her.