Bernell Bailey

Mother Bernell Truesdale Bailey was born December 2, 1927, in Kershaw, S.C. to Mr. Sam Truesdale and Mrs. Odessa Duren Truesdale-Simpson.  She attended Kershaw, S.C. schools and later Adult Night School as a young mother.  Mother Bailey married her loving and devoted soulmate, the late Rev. W. D. Bailey , on June 3, 1945.  To this beautiful union, five children were born and raised surrounded by the heartfelt love of their parents and extended family, including grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins.  Mother Bailey ’s children were also raised with a steadfast devotion to the Lord Jesus Christ.

Mother Bailey accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior at a very young age and lived an exemplary life as a mother, daughter, sister, aunt, cousin, friend, First Lady of Greenville Church of God, and First Lady of Seigle Avenue Church of God.  She was very active in church work, serving for many years as a Sunday School teacher, outreach contact for the elderly, sick, and shut-in, and President of the Missionary Circle.

During her lifetime, she worked very hard in several different types of businesses including as a seamstress at Mecklenburg Manufacturers and as a production worker at Delmar Picture Studios.  After retiring, Mother Bailey spent her days attending the Senior Citizens’ Lunch Program in the community.  There she enjoyed socializing with her peers, traveling, exercising, and learning facts about health and life issues.  She also enjoyed reading books, completing word search puzzles, and talking on the phone to family and friends, especially with her mother and her sister.

Mother Bailey was preceded in death by her late, adoring and devoted family including: her husband, the late Rev. W.D. Bailey ; her mother and father, Mr. Sam Truesdale and Mrs. Odessa Duren Truesdale-Simpson; her stepfather, Mr. Louis Simpson; her brother, Mr. R. S. (Ruby) Truesdale; her sister, Mrs. Helena (Sidney G,) Cunningham; her grandson, Mr. Darrick S. Bailey ; her nieces Mrs. Ruby Ann Truesdale Pleasant and Ms. Debbie Truesdale; her mother and father-in-law, Mr. Vandee (Mrs. Lessie Bailey ) Irby; her brothers-in-law, Mr. John Irby and Mr. Charles Irby; her sisters-in-law, Mrs. Ethel Mary Williams, Mrs. Rose Irby Frazier, Mrs. Sarah Irby (Mr. Ed) Henderson, Mrs. Eva Irby; son-in-law, Mr. Bobby Jackson and daughter-in-law, Mrs. Mary Wakester.

Mother Bernell Truesdale Bailey leaves her loving memories and invaluable legacy to her supportive, warm-hearted family and friends:

Children: Mrs. Joyce Bailey Jackson, Ms. Melvina Bailey , Mrs. Belinda Bailey Lockhart, Mr. Ronald D. Bailey , Mr. Kenneth J. Bailey , and Mr. John T. Lockhart.

Grandchildren : Rev. Rodney Jackson, Mr. Sam Bailey , Mr. Benjamin Bailey , Ms. Anita Nicole Wakester, Mrs. Renee Jackson, and Mrs. Desy Perrone

Great Grandchildren : Mr. Miles Cook, Miss Mackenzie Jackson, Miss Madison Jackson, Miss Makayla Wakester, Mr. Lorenzo Bailey , Little Miss Gabrielle Wakester, and Little Miss Alyssa Wakester

Great-Great Grandson: Little Master Cameron Hunter

Nieces : Ms. Cassandra Cunningham, Ms. Sabrina Cunningham, Mrs. Phyllis Cunningham, and Ms. Angie Cunningham

Nephews: Mr. Morris Truesdale. Mr. Sidney G. Cunningham, and Mr. Stanley G. Cunningham

Goddaughters: Mrs. Betty Robinson, Mrs. Mary Kirkland, and Ms. Opal Kinney

Godsons: Mr. Kynothy Bradford and Mr. Anthony Bostic

Brothers-in-Law : Mr. David Irby, Mr. Curtis Irby, and Mr. Frank Irby

Sister-in-Law :  Mrs. Jessie Irby

Faithful Friend: Mrs. Bessie Lewis