Berdie Bailey

February 19, 1935 – April 27, 2016

Service

Saturday, April 30, 2016
Lie In State: 2:00 P.M.
Family Visitation: 3:00 P.M.
Funeral Service: 4:00 P.M.

St. Paul AME Church
521 College St W
Fayetteville, TN 37334

Interment
Pleasant View Cemetery
Fayetteville, TN

“God has smiled on me, he has set me free.  God has smiled on me, he’s been so good to me.
I just want to thank you Lord.”          ~Berdie L. Bailey

Berdie Lee Vance Eddins Bailey was born on February 19, 1935 to the union of Jasper (Jack) Harrison Vance and Mrs Susie Holloway Vance of Molino, Tennessee. Her sweet spirit departed peacefully at her Dunroamin Lane home  on April 27, 2016 at the age of 81. Berdie was born the 12th child of 14 siblings, all of which preceded her in Death.

 Berdie Accepted Jesus Christ at an early age and became a member of Mary’s Chapel AME Church. She was an active and devoted member until her health failed her. She served faithfully as President of the Women’s Missionary Society, which was later named the Berdie Bailey Women’s Missionary Society after her Retirement. She also served on the stewardess board, was a Steward, and also served as a Trustee. Berdie loved her Church, and served faithfully in any capacity that needed her. Berdie was also a member of the Eastern Star Chapter Bright Star #33.

Berdie graduated from West End High School in 1953. In her early years she worked in the cafeteria at Robert E Lee Elementary School where she loved to cook, Blue Ridge Shirt Plant, and retired from Amana Refrigeration.  Upon retirement, Berdie put her entrepreneurial skills to work and opened Berdie’s Bar B Que, and  Berdie’s Bed and Breakfast. She was known affectionally as the Biscuit Lady, selling delicious breakfast biscuits and fresh fried pies to the public. She was also an avid real estate investor.

Berdie met and married the late Tom Alvin Bailey, Sr., who passed in 1985. Together they raised seven children. Left to cherish her memory is four (4) devoted daughters, Lynda Croom and Vanessa Hayes of Fayetteville, TN, Sharon (Ricky) Sanders of Cleveland, Ohio, and Deborah Dangerfield of Nolensville, TN; three (3) sons, Dennis Eddins of Fayetteville, TN, Rev. Dr. Tom A. (Laura) Bailey of Bowie, MD and Eric Lynn (Monica) Bailey of Florrisant, MO; fourteen (14) grandchildren; 25 great grandchildren; five (5) step great grandchildren; five (5) Great great grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends.