Bessie Bailey

Bessie Bailey graduated from time into eternity on February 21, 2018. She was 93 and born on February 27, 1924 – six days from her 94th birthday. She was a devout Christian and loved serving the Lord by doing for others. She was a member of Vimy Ridge Immanuel Baptist Church at Vimy Ridge, Arkansas. God gifted her with playing the piano starting at age five and she was still playing the piano three months ago. Bessie was a volunteer and president of volunteers serving SWR Medical Center. She was a Sunday School teacher at her church and a Bible Study teacher at many different homes throughout her life. She was very knowledgeable in the book of Revelation and taught it for many years. Bessie was Postmaster at Vimy Ridge and then at Alexander Post Office where she retired from after 32 years. She was a first-aid instructor for the American Red Cross, Home Bound Director for the elderly and entertained and taught the Bible for many years. Bessie worked at the schools, retirement homes, served her community, and visited the sick as Chaplain at SWR. In the 40's she taught school in Vimy Ridge. She taught the family about racism and how it was wrong. Bessie was a faithful servant and loved everybody. Bessie was preceded in death by her sons Larry and Bobby Bailey; and her parents, Charles and Sarah Butler. She is survived by her sons: Jerry Holloway and his wife Ruth, Verlon Bailey and his wife Donna; Lanette Bailey, wife of Larry (deceased); five grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; sister, Wilma Pauling Wilson who has been living with her for the last four years of her life. They were both great company to each other. Sparky and Donna took care of mom for the last 22 years. Sparky and Jerry will miss her very much. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her honor to the Gideon Bibles or to her church, Vimy Ridge Immanuel Baptist Church, 12214 Germania Rd., Alexander, Arkansas 72002. Funeral service will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, February 24, with Brother Elwin Ollar and Brother John Case officiating, at Vimy Ridge Immanuel Baptist Church. Visitation will be held from 10-11 a.m., prior to the funeral service. Burial will follow at Butler Cemetery, in which the land was donated to the community by her father. Assisting as pallbearers are Alec Holloway, Austin Bailey, Tony Morris, Nick and Billy Taylor and Jake Holloway. Following burial, dinner will be served at her church and all are invited to attend. Services entrusted to Smith-Benton Funeral Home. Guestbook: www.SmithFamilyCares.com.