Mildred Bailey

Mildred Marie Chambers Bailey, 88, of Gillis, LA, died at 1:30 AM on Tuesday, January 26, 2021 in her residence.

Mrs. Bailey was born February 7, 1932 in DeRidder, LA, where she attended DeRidder High School and played on the Lady’s basketball team.  She moved to Gillis, LA in 1962, where she has lived ever since.  She received her degree in bookkeeping from Sowela Technical School.  Mrs. Bailey was a longtime member of First Baptist Church of Gillis, where she was very active and served in multiple capacities throughout the years, including director of Vacation Bible School for several years.  Mrs. Bailey was always willing to help and serve and dedicated her life to her family and her church.  She will be remembered as a talented artist and could make anything with her hands that she set her mind to.  She truly lived so that her life was her testimony.

Mrs. Bailey is survived by her children, Ralin Bailey and wife Sharlin, Sylvia Bailey, Melinda Thigpen and husband Robert, and Harley Dewayne Bailey and wife Kristi; brothers, Warren Chambers and wife Donna of Washington State and Alton Royce Chambers of DeRidder, LA; sister, Marjorie Wilcoxon of Houston, TX; thirteen grandchildren; eleven great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Harley Bailey; parents, Nolon and Ima Chambers; brothers, Homer and Jene Chambers; an infant brother; and two great-grandchildren.

Her memorial service will be held at 3:00 PM on Saturday, January 30, 2021 at the First Baptist Church of Gillis.  Reverend Glenn George will officiate.  A gathering of family members and friends will be at the church from 1:00 PM until the start of the service.  Her service will be livestreamed on the church’s Facebook page for those unable to attend.

In lieu of flowers or plants, donations should be made to First Baptist Church of Gillis for Vacation Bible School, 678 Topsy Road, Lake Charles, LA 70611 or to Harbor Hospice, 5210 Lake Street, Lake Charles, LA, 70605 in Mrs. Bailey’s name.

The family would like to express a special word of thanks to Harbor Hospice for the excellent care given and to all of her church family who came to visit or just kept her in their prayers.