Linda M. Bailey, age 78 of Clinton, Missouri, passed away Friday, April 28th, 2023 at the Golden Valley Memorial Healthcare, Clinton, Missouri. .
Linda Mae Bailey, daughter of Richard Eugene and Jewell Edna Dalton was born on April 5th, 1945, on their family farm, in Clinton MO. Linda was a member of Drakes Chapel United Methodist Church. She attended Clinton schools where she graduated in 1963. Her first job was an after-school job at Clearfield Cheese. She was then employed by United Telephone Company as a telephone operator. She became a stay-at-home mom and then worked as a childcare provider for 23 years. When Lesa and Lonnie had both graduated, she took a job for the Clinton School District in the Media Centers, spending her days between all three schools for her 21 years of employment there. She retired in 2008 to spend more time with Lester and her family. She loved being retired the best! She always said her best job ever was being Grandma and Great Memaw to her wonderful grandchildren and all their fur babies.
On June 14th, 1964, Linda was united in marriage to Lester. He was the absolute love of her life! They shared a never-ending love and would have celebrated 59 years together this year. She said, “our rings form a small circle, but the circle was overflowing with love for each other and our family.” To this union they shared a daughter and a son. They lived and breathed for their children! They enjoyed camping and anything that involved their family.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Richard, an infant brother Larry Dale and a granddaughter Natalie Nicole. Also, her mother and father-in-law Shandy and Marian Bailey.
She leaves to mourn her passing her husband, Lester, of the home. A daughter Lesa (Doug) Burke of Clinton. Her son Lonnie (Gayle) Bailey of Ashland Missouri, her brother James (Velma) Dalton and sister Carolyn (Larry) Mendenhall, grandchildren Emily (Aaron) Burke, Tyler Burke, Amiee (Jeremy) Neace, Megan (Rob) Countz, Joshua (Brandi) Bailey, great grandchildren Damian and Hunter Bailey, Eloise Neace as well as several nieces and nephews and many friends and neighbors.
Linda loved her family and friends! She was a very dedicated and loving wife, mother, grandmother and great memaw. She worked very hard to see that her children and grandchildren always had what they needed in life. She always put others’ needs before her own. She was a wonderful cook and took great pleasure in preparing family meals whenever possible.
She enjoyed sewing and very proudly made all the bridesmaid’s and flower girl’s dresses for Doug and Lesa’s wedding. She enjoyed crocheting and made each of her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren a personal afghan in their choice of colors; Even the family pets were blessed enough to have a blanket made by her. She enjoyed long drives with Lester. They loved going to Branson and watching the shows. As well as organizing the family garage sales and making a day with Lester to go out looking for treasures during garage sale season. She enjoyed working on family history and kept very meticulous records and enjoyed organizing! We gave her a hard time about how organized she was; However, we always knew who we needed to call if we needed any information because she undoubtedly had it on record on one of her many calendars. We as a family are quite certain that if heaven wasn’t organized when she got there, it is now!
We as her family are truly proud and honored to call her Wife, Mother, Grandma and Great Memaw. she will be missed beyond words!
Funeral services were held May 3, 2023 at the Vansant-Mills Chapel, Clinton with Rev. David Mills officiating. Special music included “One Pair of Hands, How Great Thou Art and I Cross My Heart.” The casket bearers were Keith Dalton, Ryan Mendenhall, Randy Mendenhall, Ronnie Mendenhall, Jaris Schulte and Josh Bailey. Kendall Dalton, James Dalton, Tyler Burke, Bill Bailey, Jack Schulte, Doug Burke, Larry Mendnehall and Lonnie Bailey were honorary bearers. Interment followed in Englewood Cemetery, Clinton, MO.
Services were under the direction of Vansant-Mills Funeral Home of Clinton, MO.
