Mary Bailey

Mrs. Mary Louise Bailey was born September 28^th, 1919 in Jefferson City, Cole County, MO to Jasper H. and Ardella Clara (Smith) Simmons, the fourth child of a family of six.  She passed away Sunday November 10, 2013.She married James Marvin Bailey on October 30, 1938 in Marshall, MO. They celebrated seventy-three wonderful years of marriage. Born to their union were two sons, Dr. James (Jimmy Joe) M Bailey Jr. and Judge Duane L. Bailey.She was a graduate of Lincoln University Laboratory High School in Jefferson City, MO.She was employed as an elevator operator at a commercial building near the old Edison Brothers building on Third Street in Alton, IL for a number of years. She and her husband made the decision to allow her to become a full-time homemaker for Jimmy Joe and Duane. During this same time she and her husband, with help from Jimmy Joe, built their home.Mrs. Bailey early in life became a member of Quinn Chapel A.M.E. Church in Jefferson City, MO. Upon moving with her husband to Alton, IL, together they joined Allen Chapel A.M.E. Church. Later, she and her husband become charter members of Unity Fellowship Church in Godfrey, IL.She was known to be the wind beneath the wings of her husband in all of his various community activities. As a result, she was honored with the Living Legend Award from the Coalition of Concerned Citizens in 2008.She was a loving mother to Dr. James “Jimmy Joe” Bailey and Judge Duane L. Bailey. Without question, they were the apple of her eye. She made major effort to attend all of Jimmy Joe’s music recitals and attend all of Duane’s speeches. It can truly be said that the brothers learned their sense of community spirit from their father. However, the music and laughter came from their mother.Left to cherish her memory are her two sons, Dr. James (Michelle) Bailey and the Honorable Duane L. Bailey and significant other Lois M. Holmes; three granddaughters, Tori R. Bailey, Lauren T. Bailey and Carmen L. Bailey; one grandson, James M. Bailey III; two great granddaughters, Sacha N. Brown and Elona M. Williams; brother and sisters-in-law, Jasper Simmons, Richard (Sallie) Simmons and Martha A. Green, and a hosts of cousins, nieces, nephews and friends. Mrs. Bailey also had a special daughter in Brenda Walker-McCain, whom was there for her in her later years with her special grandson Jared McCain; three special granddaughters Brittney, Ciara and Anita Holmes and a special great grandson Princeton James.  She also treasured her friendship with Kathleen Holmes and Bonnie Fox.In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by sisters, Jemenia Lansdowne and Vivian Hardimon. Visitation Friday November 15, 2013 from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. at Unity Fellowship Church in GodfreyVisitation to continue on Saturday from 9 a.m. until time of service at 10 a.m. also at the church.Burial Upper Alton CemeteryCathy M. Williams & Sons Funeral Home in Alton in charge of arraangements

Obit Provided By:
Cathy M Williams & Sons Funeral Home