Doreathea W. Bailey

Mrs. Doreathea Watts Bailey, the daughter of the late Lee and Odell Watts was born August 10, 1942 in Beatrice, Alabama. She later moved to Ogden Utah and it was there that she became united in Holy matrimony to Henry Bailey, a member of the United States Air Force, on February 1, 1964. After traveling the country for the first few years of their marriage, the couple settled in California in 1969 where they planted roots and raised their family.

 

Doreathea had a distinguished 29-year career in retail management with the Army Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) managing at base exchanges at Travis Air Force Base and Veterans Home of California -Yountville, while in California. It was there she earned several commendations and awards recognizing her leadership and tireless dedication to excellence in service. Although in 2003 she and her husband moved to Florence, South Carolina for their retirement, that did not stop Doreathea from being extraordinarily gracious in donating her time and blessings. She continued to distinguish herself in her devotion to her community and church. In the community, she spent several years as a classroom aide at Carver Elementary School and mentoring youth at McLaurin and Delmae Elementary Schools. She also was a long-time volunteer at Carolinas Hospital System Florence where she served as an officer in its volunteer auxiliary. She was especially devoted in her service to Christ and Salem United Methodist Church. At Salem, she served as president of the United Methodist Women, was a member of its Pastor Parish Relations Committee, participated in Charge Conferences, and was a lay-member of the South Carolina Annual Conference.

 

Doreathea especially enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren. And when she wasn’t in the bleachers or on the sidelines watching them play soccer, basketball, baseball or swimming, she was frequently hosting playdates with them. She also loved cooking and was renowned for her holiday meals and decorations.

 

Doreathea was preceded in death by; her parents, Lee and Odell Watts; sisters, Levia Rayson, Mildred Chambers, and Arthelia Vaughn; and brother Oliver Watts; son Henry Bailey, II; and granddaughter Kailey Bailey Brown.

 

She is survived by her loving husband of 59 years, Henry; daughters, Kecia Bailey and Kerri Bailey both of Sacramento, California, Karna (Chris) Herring of Florence, South Carolina; grandchildren, Kameron Bailey of Florence, South Carolina, Kaden Bailey Brown of Sacramento, California, Austin, Noah and Reagan Herring of Florence, South Carolina; sisters, Eunice Johnson of New Haven, Connecticut, Elois (Clarence) Sullivan of Merced, California, Dorothy (Floyd) Burns of Flint Michigan, Helen Watts of Milton, Florida;

brothers, Lawrence (Mary) Watts of Florence, South Carolina, and Robert (Deborah) Watts of Orlando, Florida. Doreathea is also survived by several brothers-in-law and sisters-in law who warmly welcomed her into the Bailey family and whom she loved dearly; Walter (Mae) Bailey, Lula Bailey, Frances Vereen, Shirley Lewis, Barbara Pearson, David (Dessie) Bailey, James Bailey; in addition to a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and neighbors who she cared for deeply.

 

Please keep the family of Doreathea W. Bailey in your thoughts and prayers.