Louise Robinson Bailey, 95, died peacefully in her sleep on Wednesday, May 16, 2018, in Birmingham, Ala.
Ms. Bailey was born Oct. 23, 1922 in Danville, La., to Charles and Bernice (Abercrombie) Robinson. She attended Draughon business college in Shreveport, where she met William D. “Bill” Bailey. In 1943, they were married and enjoyed a loving relationship for 73 years.
After a period of military service they settled in Decatur. In 1945, they established Decatur Telephone Company which is still in operation today.
Her hobbies included painting, gardening, and floral arranging. She enjoyed cooking and over the last year had been working towards publishing her own cookbook. She was an avid shopper, always on the lookout for a pair of fancy high heel shoes.
Over the course of their lives she and her husband enjoyed traveling the world with family and friends.
Ms. Bailey was an active member of Decatur United Methodist Church. She was a member of the Women’s Progressive Club, Decatur Garden Club and for 15 years was treasurer of the Greater Decatur Chamber of Commerce. She was also a lifetime member of the Telephone Pioneers.
Her husband gave her flying lessons and she received her pilot’s license almost 50 years ago; becoming one of Mississippi’s first women to receive pilot certification.
For 20 years, she and her husband enjoyed having breakfast with friends at a local restaurant. At the age of 93, she was given a little black sports car that gave her great joy and she looked forward to driving it to join her friends every morning before going to the office.
Her family will remember her for the active life that she led spanning almost a century. She was a wonderful mother and grandmother. Mrs. Bailey touched many lives and made a powerful and lasting impact on everyone who knew her.
She is survived by her children, Mark (Karan) Bailey of Birmingham, Ala., and Esther (Mike) Smith of Decatur; thre granddaughters, Allison (Adam) Crosson of New Orleans, Katherine (Stephen) Kirkpatrick of Birmingham, and Hannah Smith of Decatur; one great-granddaughter, Virginia Dell Kirkpatrick; a sister, Alma (Don) Greer of Shreveport; and a sister-in-law, Averil “A” Robinson of Shreveport.
Mrs. Bailey was preceded in death by her husband, William D. “Bill” Bailey; two sisters, Mildred “Sis” Smelley, and Dolly Robinson; and two brothers, James “Bud” Robinson and Sonny Robinson.
Visitation will be from noon to 1 p.m. Saturday, May 19 at Decatur United Methodist Church. Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. with the Rev. Bruce Taylor officiating. Burial will follow in the Newton County Memorial Gardens.
Pallbearers will be I.D. Herrington, Charles Addy, Brian McDonald, Brian Frink, Stephen Joiner, and Randy Jenkins.
In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorials be made to the Bill and Louise Bailey scholarship fund at East Central Community College (P.O. Box 129, Decatur, MS 39327) or Decatur United Methodist Church (268 West Broad Street, Decatur, MS 39327). Milling Funeral Home of Union is in charge of the arrangements.
