Mrs. Thelma Taylor Bailey
Past Grand District Deputy Organizer for District 27
Honorary Past Grand Worthy Matron
Thelma Taylor Bailey of Fredericksburg passed peacefully to eternal rest on
Monday, Nov. 28, 2011, at Mary Washington Hospital.
She was the daughter of the late Ambrose and Marian Beckett Taylor. She
was preceded in death by brothers Theodore Taylor and Paige Giddens.
Thelma was a native of Accomack County on Virginia's Eastern Shore,
attending the public schools there. Thelma graduated as salutatorian of her
class from Mary N. Smith High School and was a graduate of Virginia State
University.
On Dec. 18, 1954, Thelma and Weldon L. Bailey were married, making their
home in Fredericksburg. In addition to her teaching duties, she worked with
Weldon in their business at Bailey Funeral Service. She also assisted in his
many political and community service activities.
Thelma's teaching career began in Amherst County. After the death of her
mother, she returned to Accomack and was appointed principal of Mount
Zion Elementary School. After her marriage, her teaching career included
Lightfoot Elementary School in Orange County and Maury Elementary and
Walker-Grant Middle schools in Fredericksburg. She retired from
Fredericksburg Public Schools in 1987.
Thelma worked tirelessly in community service activities, serving as
president and leader in most of them. Included were Fredericksburg Host
Lioness Club, YMCA Board, Rappahannock Community Services Board,
Anne Hamrick Pre-school, Mayfield Civic Association, Virginia Mortician
Association, Big Brother Big Sister Inc., Twelve & One Club, past worthy
matron of Celestia Chapter 38 Order of the Eastern Star, past deputy
organizer for District 27 OES and honorary past grand worthy matron for the
Grand Chapter OES of Virginia.
A church worker most of her life, Thelma began her dedication to God and
church work at Gaskins Chapel, AME, Savageville. After moving to
Fredericksburg, she became a member and tireless worker of Shiloh Baptist
Church (Old Site). She was president and member of many of the church's
organizations, having served as president of the Walker Auxiliary Club for
more than 20 years.
Thelma is survived by two sons, Ambrose (and Clara) and Anthony (and
Pamela); sisters Elsie Dennis, Doris Dowdy, Marian Keesee, Mary Hatton
(and William), Shirley McClain (and Albert), and Julia Ward; brother
Gregory Taylor; grandchildren Doronda, Denean and Taylor Bailey; sister-
in-law Greta Taylor; and Bernard Thompson and his daughter, Cheri
Thompson, whom she loved as a son and granddaughter.
The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 2, at A.L.
Bennett and Son Funeral Home. A celebration of life service will be held at
2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3, at James Monroe High School, 2300 Washington
Ave., Fredericksburg.
To enhance the lives of others, as was Thelma's calling, in lieu of flowers
contributions may be made to Mayfield Civic Association for the
Scholarship Fund, 311 Glover St., Fredericksburg, Va. 22401; or to Shiloh
Baptist Church (Old Site) Home Missions, 801 Sophia St., Fredericksburg
Va. 22401.
Online condolences may be sent to albennettandsonfu