Verna Bailey (Guile) Bailey

On the evening Tuesday, December 30, 2014, my precious mother, a grandmother and great-grandmother, Verna Lillian Bailey passed away. She was the loving wife of the late Henry "Hank" Bailey who preceded her in death in 2011, and the mother to Terry Bailey, who passed away in 1958.
Verna was born in Goshen, Oregon, on July 20, 1920, to Hugh and Mayme Guile. She was the youngest of five daughters, Edna, Jacqueline, Ruby and Ethel. Verna moved with her family to Roseburg, in 1923. She met Henry Bailey in high school and they graduated together in the class of 1938. Throughout her high school years, and afterward, she worked for Heyniger's Market, The Indian Theater and as a secretary for Mr. Kenneth Ford.
Verna and Henry married on June 29, 1945, after Henry's discharge from military service. She devoted herself to raising her children as a full time homemaker room mother, den leader and volunteer Pink Lady at Mercy Hospital.
In 1967 she and Hank built a vacation home on the South Tenmile Lake. They entertained family and friends for many years with water skiing, fishing and boating. Verna celebrated her birthdays at the cabin every year, right up to her 94th!
She and Hank traveled in their motor home revisiting Henry's Kansas birthplace and the Eastern, Southern, and Midwest states. They spent many winter months in Arizona, as "snowbirds", took several cruises, and vacationed often in Hawaii.
In 2005, Henry and Verna received the Friends of Umpqua Community College Award for their contribution to the college. The scholarship benefits UCC students who are in financial need and have overcome hardships.
Residing in Riverview Terrace over eight years, Verna made many wonderful friends. She cared about the health and happiness of everyone in her Riverview community. Bingo was her favorite game. She was quite proud of her winnings, her "stash". Verna was very proud of her family. Family gatherings and events were most important to her.
During Graffiti week Verna's grandson Jason would take her to cruise in Henry's 1957 T-Bird. She was thrilled to be able to watch her granddaughter Jennifer riding her horses, and attend many of her great-grandsons school sporting events.
Verna is survived by her daughter Joni (Jeff) Byers; granddaughter Jennifer (Jeff) Jones; great-grandsons Wyatt, Kincaid, Keaton Jones; and grandson Jason Byers. She was a member of Saint Joseph Catholic Church.
Joni and family extend a heartfelt thank you to Verna's loving caregivers Brenda Stone, Bonnie Gordon, Gaile Curtis, Ramona Saunders and Pam Atchison. Thank you Dr. Joel Lee and office staff including Shannyn, Frances, and Toni, for the many years of excellent medical care and supreme kindness.
Verna never asked for or expected more than she needed, and she gave much more than she received.
A Celebration of Verna's Life will be held at 2:30 p.m. Thursday, January 15, 2015, at Riverview Terrace, 1970 W. Harvard Avenue, in Roseburg, Oregon. Please visit Verna's web site at www.wilsonschapeloftherosesfh.com to sign the online guest book and leave condolences for the family.
In Lieu of flowers, Verna would have asked that donations be sent to one of the following, or a charity of your choosing: Camp Millennium, 2876 Diamond Lake Blvd, Roseburg, OR 97470; or Hank and Verna Bailey Scholarship, Umpqua Community College, P.O. Box 967, Roseburg OR 97470.