Evelyn Bailey

Who can find a Virtuous Woman? Mrs. Evelyn Jean Mahaffey Bailey! On May 21, 1928, the late William and Alice Mahaffey welcomed their 10th of 11 children, Joe, Lonnie, Herman, Matthew, Andrew, Fannie Lou, Blanche, Lenora, Grace, and Alice; who all preceded her in death. Evelyn Jean Mahaffey was born Evelyn Jane but she changed it herself to Jean! She was born in Jackson County, Hoschton, Georgia. She was a proud product of Gwinnett County Schools, Hooper Renwick High School, where she graduated 2nd in her class as the Salutatorian. She received some college training and worked as a Substitute Teacher at her beloved Hooper Renwick. After the loss of her daughter Samaritan, as recommended by her doctor for therapeutic purposes, Mama worked at Button Gwinnett Hospital, Medical Arts Convalescent Center, and later became a Private Duty nurse for a plethora of patients. Most importantly, Mama was a Homemaker; a job she valued, cherished, and loved above all! On September 15, 1949, she united in holy matrimony to the late Willie Frank Bailey, who safely trusted and entrusted her with his heart knowing she would not waste a thing! He knew she would do him good and no evil even after he passed away 15 years ago! Mama was the Wife of one man and together they birthed 10 children to present to the World! Mama received her Salvation at an early age and nurtured that calling early on at Broughton Baptist (The Tabernacle) Church, Lawrenceville, Georgia, where she was known as a faithful member and a sought after eloquent Speaker. She converted to Catholicism with her late husband in the late 60’s raising their children in the Faith. Later in Life, yearning for the experience of the Black Church, Mama fell in love and united with her husband’s Family Church, Salem Baptist! She was President emeritus of the Senior Choir – because she loved to sing; she served on the Mothers Board; she was an advisor to the Youth Committee; and she was the entire Breakfast Committee for the entire Sunday school at Salem for years! “Ms. Evelyn” as she was affectionately known even by her Children was an amazing woman! She was a Character and a Woman of character; a rare combination! She knew the Word of God, sang the songs of Zion, cooked meals, baked sweet potato pies that should have been on the Food Network channel, took care of her dying father; Papa, managed a household of well-behaved (!) children, was a great neighbor, doting on her fun-loving sisters and sister-in-laws; was a faithful member to the Body of Christ everywhere she went especially to her beloved Salem, “the church with zeal according to knowledge”; was a terrific Auntie to over 50 nieces and nephews; and could stop on a dime and do The Watusi! Ms. Evelyn could question you with the intensity of a Johnny Cochran all the while feeding you with the warmth of a Julia Childs complete with her soft spoken Southern drrraawwwlll! She opened her home up and freely included her very young great niece and nephew, Demetria (Sonia) and Fred Harvey for several years treating them as her own. This was nothing new as Ms. Evelyn and Daddy housed, financially supported, and fed a train of nieces and nephews for years seeing many of them through college! Ms. Evelyn also fed and entertained whoever sat around her kitchen table(s) employing her daughters to join her in this Service! She loved feeding Preachers for Sunday dinner! This great and blessed woman, clothed with strength and dignity, who stretched out her hand to the poor and needy as she served The Saint Vincent DePaul Society helping those in need; who laughed without fear of the future; who spoke wise words and gave instructions with kindness and carefully watched over everything in her household and did not suffer from laziness; and covered herself with tapestry of clothes of silk and purple “sharp as tack” an original DIVA; who spoke well of her husband and was proud to be known as Mrs. Willie Frank Bailey, arrived in Glory on July 20, 2016, leaving to mourn and honor her Legacy - her Children, who she fiercely protected as they collectively rise up and call her blessed: Timothy Bailey, Frank Jr (deceased), Jimmy Lee Bailey, Theresa Lynn Bailey, Bernice Bailey, Dorothy Bailey Yarbrough, Elizabeth Bailey (Jerome Sr.) Copeland, Samaritan (deceased), Hannah Magdalene Bailey Walker, and Alpha Omega Bailey. Her Legacy continues in her most precious gifts, who she unashamedly doted on and made you listen and look as she told stories about them and showed you pictures - those grandchildren: Byram Apollo Bailey, Byron Darcy (Denise) Bailey, Freddie Brown Henderson, III, Perry McClendon Jr. (deceased), Jessica Elizabeth Lynn Copeland, Anthony Joseph Walker II, Christopher Taylor McClendon, Jerome Copeland II, Gabriel Tyler Walker; and great grandchildren: Theresa Chantelle Henderson, JaiMcole Fredrick Henderson, Zyon Robert Apollo Bailey, and Byron Kingston Bailey. She is blessed to be mourned by four friends who are sister-in-laws, Princess Collins Bailey, Mary Annette Bailey, Carolyn Bailey Jackson, and Priscilla Bailey Armstrong. A special Church son, Gerald Hollis; a special Friend, Paula Varon; an adopted “Family Advisor”, Rev. Melvin Everson; the dedicated, Rev. Diane Haynes; and a devoted Nurse/Caregiver, Lola Wyatt. A loving Church Family and a loving Community of Friends, and The Bailey Street/Avenue Neighbors! We found a Virtuous Woman!

Tributes

Evelyn Bailey

May 21, 1928 - July 20, 2016