Melba Jo Bailey

Memorial services for Melba Jo Bailey, 89, of Longview will be held at 1:00pm Friday, June 16, 2017 at Mobberly Baptist Church with the Rev. Greg Martin and Dr. Gregg Zackary officiating. A time of visitation with family members will be held after the service in the church foyer. A private family graveside service will be held at Grace Hill Cemetery in Longview. Melba passed away Monday, June 12, 2017 in Longview due to complications from Parkinson’s disease. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to Mobberly Baptist Church Missions or the Children’s Ministry. She was born on April 22, 1928 in Longview to Leonard and Mildred George. She gave her heart to Christ-ALL of her heart, on January 6, 1946 and continued to follow and serve Him faithfully every day. She has been a beloved and dedicated member of Mobberly Baptist Church for over 70 years where she served in many roles such as prayer warrior and Sunday School teacher. She loved the Lord, the Bible, and her family with all of her heart and was an influence to all she met. She also loved the simple things in life such as beautiful flowers, birds, and things of nature. She was a caregiver, encourager, comforter, supporter, role model, and witness for Christ to her family and had an infectious laugh that will always be remembered and cherished forever. She married the love of her life, Ralph Bailey, on June 20, 1947 after he returned from serving our country in the Army during World War II. They were just a few days shy of celebrating their 70th wedding anniversary, however, the family decided to just round up and call it 70 years of marriage. Dad has been her faithful husband and caregiver all those years, but especially for the last 9 years due to her Parkinson’s disease. We four siblings are greatly indebted to our father for his loving and tender care of mother over the last 9 years. She loved her role as a homemaker more than anything, but was willing to work for a short period of time at LaFama Foods and Prowler Industries to help put her children through college. She was preceded in death by her parents, Leonard and Mildred George, and her brother Arthur “Buddy” George. She is survived by her loving husband, Ralph; son David and wife Shirley; daughter Debbie and husband Jack Goetz; daughter Brenda and husband Brandon Johnson; son Chris and wife Joni; 12 grandchildren, and 16 great-grandchildren. “To our dear wife, Mom and Mamaw, we love you and will miss you but because of our Lord and Savior’s saving grace, we rejoice in knowing we will one day see you again.” A memorial guestbook may be signed online at www.raderfh.com.

Melba Jo Bailey

April 22, 1928 - June 12, 2017