Wallace Arnold Thomas

Wallace “Pappy” Thomas departed this life on Friday, December 19, 2025, at home surrounded by loved ones.  He was born on September 25, 1960, in Pascagoula, Mississippi to the union of the late W.A. Thomas and Betty Marsalis Thomas Taylor. He was the fifth of ten children. Pappy was preceded in death by stepfather, H. B. Taylor, his two brothers, Norris Thomas and Lynn Thomas; grandparents, James Marsalis and Bessie Marsalis Banks; step-grandfather, Cuffie Banks; grandparents, Willie and Magnolia Thomas; aunts, Mildred Marsalis and Ophelia Marsalis Johnson.

Pappy grew up in Pascagoula, Mississippi. He graduated from Pascagoula High School class of 1978, where he did exceptionally well in sports and earned a scholarship to the University of Pittsburgh. He played four years of football and played in several bowl games. In 1986, Pappy enlisted in the United States Army.  After his military career, he went on to work with J.L. McCool Contractors for several years until his health declined. Pappy was an avid football and die-hard drag racing fan.  He had a love for dogs, especially German Shepherds.

On November 21, 1986, Wallace joined in Holy Matrimony with Valerie G. Robinson. To this union, two children were born, Wallace D. (Constance) Thomas and Jeremy L. Reese.

Wallace will be remembered by family and friends with his comical conversations, witty sense of humor, and his famous, “I’m grown” phrase. He leaves to cherish his memories to his devoted wife, Valerie G. Thomas of Moss Point, Mississippi; his two sons, Wallace D. (Constance) Thomas, two granddaughters, Oaklynn and Symia of Abilene, TX and Jeremy L. Reese of Biloxi, MS; father and mother in law; Alfred and Voncile Robinson; brother-in -law, Darryl (Gloria) Robinson; sisters-in-law, Antoinette ( Ennit) Morris all of  Moss Point, MS,  Pamela (Phillip) Davis of Gautier, MS, and Donna Robinson of Moss Point, MS; siblings, Norman Thomas, Sharon Watson, Roshell Thomas, Sonia Taylor Monagan, Derek (Monica) Taylor all of Pascagoula, MS, Cortier (Theresa) Thomas of Gautier, MS and Darrien Thomas, of Lithonia, GA; aunts and uncles; Jim (Syliva) Marsalis of Memphis, TN, Joe Ann (Donald) Denning, Warner Robins, GA, Eddie (Alice) Marsalis, Moss Point, MS, Devone Bovastro, Pascagoula, MS, Eddie (Shauna) Fields, Opelika, AL, James L. (Brina) Marsalis, Greenville, MS, Ed Marsalis, New Orleans, LA, Merlean Davis, Memphis, TN.

Best friends: Tony Bennett, Earl Davis, Dariu McMillian, Ennis Morris, Walter Ray Smith, and Shaun Watson. A host of cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.

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