Thelma Arline Bailey, 95, of Mt. Vernon, died at 4:10 a.m. Nov. 23, 2004 at Jeffersonian Care Center.

She was born to Ollie G. (Bumpus) and William O. Blacklidge in a log cabin on the farm of her grandfather, Robert Marion Bumpus in Jefferson County on June 9, 1909. The family moved to Mt. Vernon soon after. She attended the new Horace Mann School and graduated there.

She married Virgil T. Bailey on Dec. 25, 1935 in Mt. Vernon. He died Oct. 4, 1994.

She graduated from Brown Business College and worked for Pollock Lumber Co. and International Shoe Co. for several years as a bookkeeper. She continued to work for the people that bought Pollock Lumber Co. until she retired at age 90. She was also associated with her husband in the operation of Virgil T. Bailey, Inc.

Graveside funeral services will be at 1:30 p.m. Sunday at Oakwood Cemetery. Those attending this service are asked to go directly to the cemetery on Sunday. Mr. Randy Sells will officiate.Visitation will be from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday at Hughey Funeral Home.

She is survived by three sons, J. Paul Bailey and wife, Patricia, Mt. Vernon, Daniel G. Bailey and wife, Dennie, Colorado Springs, Colo., and Roger Kent Bailey and friend Melva Haley, Mt. Vernon; two daughters, Beverly VanBebber and husband, Donald, Portland, Ore., Judith Gray and husband, Edmond, New Paltz, N.Y.; grand children Caesar, Roger Keith, Michelle, Jeniffer, Danny, Jr., Terry, Nathan and Anthony, as well as 17 great-grandchildren and three great great-grandchildren. Several nieces and nephews also survive.

Besides her husband, she was preceded in death by one son, John David Bailey, one granddaughter, Raynelle Hayes, one grandson, Troy Bailey, and one sister, Ruth Harlow.

Mrs. Bailey was a member of Central Christian Church and Royal Neighbors.

For those who wish, memorials may be made to Central Christian Church and will be accepted at the funeral home or may be mailed to Hughey Funeral Home, P.O. Box 721, Mt. Vernon, Il. 62864.

Source: Mt. Vernon Register News
Date: November 26, 2004
Submitted by: Kiowana Hayes Ferguson