Obituary of Barbara A. Bailey

Barbara Ann Bell Bailey was known for her warm smile, encouraging presence, and spirit of service.  She loved to lend a hand when needed and showed her love for God in the way she served diligently without fanfare.

She passed from her earthly journey on Sunday, February 4, 2024 with her children by her side. We can only rejoice that she has exchanged her recent struggle with illness for peace and her heavenly reward.

Barbara Ann was born May 15, 1940, the eldest child of Ivory Elton Bell and Selena Hobson in Powhatan, Virginia. She completed her schooling as a graduate of Pocahontas High School in 1958 and journeyed to New York City where she had spent summers working.  She settled in the city and enjoyed her time with her sister Pat and her cousins.

She was always good with numbers and soon found work as a bookkeeper. Later she joined the New York City Department of Personnel as a civil exam clerk. She enjoyed traveling into NYC and developed long lasting friendships with her co-workers.

Her life was forever changed when her cousin Shirley introduced her to a transplanted country boy from Scottsburg, VA - James “Jim” Bailey.  He tried to impress her by bringing pretty sweaters to her door, which must have worked, as the two married in 1963.

They settled in Jamaica, Queens, where they built a life together, raised Quinton and Stacy, and became active in their community.  Barbara volunteered with the Girl Scouts, ushers and many other ministries and later became a deaconess at Calvary Baptist Church, where she and Jim worshiped and served for more than 25 years. They retired and realized a life-long dream to return to Virginia.  Back in Powhatan, Barbara enjoyed reconnecting with her former classmates, family members and dear friends there.  She particularly loved tending her flowers and plants, popping next door for a chat with her sister Jean, and riding sidecar on adventures with Aunt Florine.

Barbara and Jim were blessed with 53 years of marriage, and after his passing in 2016, she continued as an active member of Mt. Zion Baptist Church, attending bible study and volunteering with the Adult Bible Study Sewing Group, which met once a week to sew items for the nursing homes and veterans.

With strong faith and her practical and gentle way, Barbara naturally served in many supporting roles with family at the center of her life.  It was easy to love her kind spirit and she was adored by her many relatives and friends.  She often had requests for her baked chicken and coconut cake made from scratch. We are encouraged by the example she shared of a life well-lived, serving God through caring for others and looking to God for guidance and direction.

Cherishing her memory are her children Quinton, Stacy, and William; daughters-in-law Stephanie and Priscilla; grandchildren Christopher and Sophie, Sasha, and Issac; sisters Jean Monroe, Dorothea Taylor, and Dr. Angela Bell; brothers Ivory Bell and Harold Bell; brothers-in-law Maurice Monroe and Moses Taylor; aunts Florine Bell and Bernice Bell; and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.