Gladys Bailey

Gladys Bailey, age 95, born January 1, 1928, passed away June 12, 2023.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Bruce Bailey, Sr, in March 2010, son Robert Bruce Bailey, Jr. in January 2009 and daughter Rebecca Jacks in February 2014. She is survived by son. Richard Bailey (Judy). She was a member of Altadena Presbyterian Church, PCA and a former member of Covenant Presbyterian Church (PCA). Bruce and Gladys were longtime members of Briarwood Presbyterian Church, PCA, having joined it during the "storefront days" in the 1960s. They raised their family in The Church and contributed their talents to the growth of The Church and to the Glory of God.

Gladys Bailey was many things in her life; dedicated mother and loving wife at home, quintessential professional in her career, dedicated and faithful servant of God at her church, and interactions with others. She was all these things and much more. Mom was born in Ashe County, NC, the Township of Pond Mountain, the High Country. She graduated high school at the tender age of 15 and worked her way through school at Lees McCrae College to become a Medical Records Specialist, graduating at the age of 18. She worked in different roles and at various healthcare facilities and would retire as a Director of the Medical Records Department at South Highlands Hospital in 1987. While she left her homeplace in the high country of North Carolina at an early age, it was always close to her heart and our family traveled there every year and continues to do so to this day.

Along the way, she met a young man, working his way through Georgia Tech who would eventually become an Electrical Engineer with Southern Company Services. They would marry in 1951, move to Birmingham and have 3 children who were all successful in their own right and devoted to their parents. They were taught the virtues of service, hard work, and persistence. As with every family, there were many ups and downs. What stayed consistent were the principles taught and lived out by their parents. Mom outlived her family save the youngest child who writes this final obituary. While this chapter ends, the life story authored by my parents lives on and is full of great memories; of laughing and crying, of early Saturday morning chores, of family devotions, and of traveling the country in the Airstream where we would play endless and merciless games of Hearts.

Her journey is complete, a difficult race completed, and a life well lived. She is now in the presence of God in the company of the family she loves and awaits those of us on this side of the river to join her.