Thelma Elizabeth Easterling Bailey

November 11, 1942 - October 20, 2021

A resident of Raleigh, Mississippi, Thelma was preceded in death by her father James Odis Easterling, mother Doris Merle Whatley Easterling, and son-in-law Dr. Ben Battle Jr.

She is survived by her husband of 59 years, John Anthony Bailey; sons: Arlen Anthony Bailey (Rachel), Jonathan Craig Bailey (Angel), Tracy Gerald Bailey, and John Marc Bailey; grandchildren: Jonathan Craig Bailey Jr. (Laura Beth), Kayla Nicole Bailey Berry (Carroll), Anthony Brett Bailey, Ryan Chase Norris, and Jeremy Norris; great grandchildren: Bryson Bailey, Tyson Bailey, Kristian Berry, and Alyssa Berry; siblings: James Ray Easterling (Jean), Billy Ray Easterling (Jean), Dorothy Jean Hall, and Larry Mike Easterling (Effie); and a host of nephews and nieces.

Thelma was born in Raleigh, Mississippi, November 11, 1942, and she attended Raleigh High School. Her teachers wrote in her senior yearbook, "She may be quiet, but she knows a lot." She was an intelligent and inquisitive student who loved to read. After she graduated in 1961, she moved to New Orleans where she taught at a private Christian school associated with a church where she met her husband-to-be, John. Subsequently, they were married February 16, 1962, in Nicholson, Mississippi. They eventually moved back to Mississippi and started a family.

Thelma and John worked in church ministry for over 50 years, always supporting their children and grandchildren in their perspective ministries. Thelma was a song leader, Sunday School teacher, and a church Treasurer throughout many of these years. Her voice and musical lessons throughout her childhood proved to be beneficial; during summers, she attended a singing school at Salem Baptist church where she learned to read shape notes. In her 20s, she took piano lessons and learned to read music. Musically gifted, she played the piano and the guitar, and she could sight sing anything in the hymnal. She was a Soprano with a two-octave range. She sang on the radio as a young lady with her family and later sang in various trios. She could harmonize any part needed.

A graduate of Hinds Jr. College in Raymond, Mississippi and the Academy of Hair Design in Pearl, Mississippi, she held a Life Insurance License, Barber License, and a Cosmetology License. In addition, Thelma received the award, Business Woman of the Year , through the Independent Business Association in 1995. In addition to these accomplishments, she and her husband John owned a construction company for many years and later opened a hardware and building supply store in Raleigh, where she managed contracts for the construction company as well as managed financial accounts. After they retired in 2009, they spent nine years in Cullowhee, North Carolina where they were active members of the Whittier Church of God. At this church, Thelma would occasionally substitute on piano and sing in the choir.

Thelma loved her family and friends, she loved to travel and listen to music, and she loved to shop, collect, and paint. She had a collection of over 200 porcelain dolls. A talented painter who took art lessons from her cousin Lou Handy, she eventually turned their home into an art gallery. It was not uncommon for her to keep their home decorated for Christmas year-round. Clearly, she loved Christmas and all the glitz that came along with the season. The matriarch of her family, she will be greatly missed.

Family will receive friends on Friday, October 22, 2021, at 7:00 p.m. at New Life Christian Fellowship located at 120 Save A Lot Drive in Pearl, MS 39208. A service will follow at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 23, 2021. Interment will be at Easterling Cemetery located in Raleigh, Mississippi. Reverends Shane Silvers and Craig Bailey will be officiating. Pallbearers will be Arlen, Craig, Tracy, John Marc, Jonathan, and Brett Bailey. Colonial Chapel of Magee, Mississippi will be assisting with the arrangements.