Leta Bailey's Obituary
Leta Bailey
Oleta Odale Compton Bailey was born in a shotgun house in the Blacklands of East Texas 103 years ago to Joe and Bessie Compton. She passed away peacefully surrounded by family at her daughter’s home on May 9th, the night before Mother’s Day.
Leta and her three younger brothers, Harvey, Joe and Gary(Sonny), grew up in Forney, TX and graduated from Forney high school.
At 18 she moved to Dallas to attend business school and work in downtown Dallas. She was always proud of having had a job. Her real career was making a loving, wonderful home for her husband, Joe Edwin Bailey(d.1997), whom she married in 1939, and their children.
Her descendants include 4 children, 9 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren. They are son Ken (Shellie), their daughters Kristin (Steve) Ward, Kate (Jeff) Davis and Caroline (Ben Chasse); son Gary(d.2015) (Suzanne), their children Justin (Tracey), Blythe and Collier; daughter Joleta Bishop (Bob Schucany), her children Tana (John) Parsons, Ellie McKenzie and Ty Bishop; daughter Susan Bailey (Wes Gilpin); great grandchildren Dana and Jesse Ward, Eowyn Davis, Jasper Bailey, Bailey and Hank Parsons, Jeanette, Max and Alexandra McKenzie.
Joe and Leta built their home in Preston Hollow in 1950. All four children attended Preston Hollow elementary school and Hillcrest High School. She and Joe were charter members of Park Cities Baptist Church when it started on Lovers Ln. The church was a great support in their older years when Leta volunteered at the PCBC Clothes Closet (for the needy) and they were especially active.
Leta was Supermom, Homeroom Mother, Cub Scout, Brownie and Girl Scout Leader (specializing in camping), and had dinner for 6 on the table at 6:30 every evening for many years. She loved gardening and could make anything grow.
Between 1966 and 1974, Joe, Leta and Susan lived a total of five years in New Orleans where they had great fun dining at fabulous restaurants, dancing to great jazz and developing a passion for historical homes.
Upon returning to Dallas, Leta achieved over 2000 hours as a docent at Old City Park (Dallas Heritage Village). She also delivered Meals on Wheels for 20 years among other volunteer jobs.
Joe and Leta loved traveling the world (mostly through Joe’s sales rewards) from The Great Wall of China to Moscow with many trips to Europe between, and had a special love for Hawaii.
Finally she loved her 10 years at CCYOUNG retirement community.
So how did everyone know Leta would live to be 100?
She was the healthiest person anyone knew! Before it was popular, she walked nearly every day, continuing daily walks till 100. She exercised with Jack LaLanne on TV or at church classes 3 times a week until age 90. She ate mostly fresh vegetables in small portions, very slowly. Dental hygiene was a priority so she still had her teeth at 103. She never smoked, drank rarely, read constantly (particularly National Geographic) and did daily crossword puzzles.
Lastly, Leta had an attitude of FUN throughout her endeavors whether responsibilities or leisure activities. She seemed to feel content, blessed and eager for each new adventure in life.
She is greatly missed!
A Memorial Service in honor of the late Leta Bailey will be held at The Wildwood Chapel at Restland Memorial Park on April 29th, 2023 beginning at 2:00 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to Meals on Wheels. Website: vnatexas.org / Address: 1600 Vicery Drive Suite 400, Dallas, TX 75235
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