Jonsye Kay Bailey

She is survived by her husband, Aaron Bailey; her children, Misty Mallard and husband, Josh, Tracy Olcott and husband, Austin and Kayla Bailey Gillenwater; grandchildren, Stefani, Kaira, Jessica, Joy, Dana, Alissa, Seren, Kadence, Jamey, Christian, Layla, Ariana and Kieana; sister, Linda Whitson Sirmon and multiple nieces and nephews.

She is Jonsye Grandma because the first grandkid gets to pick. Jonsye is the reason you don’t use the phrases “like a girl” and “just a stepmom.” She is the one who always smiled at you. Jonsye is the one with the laugh you never forget. Jonsye is the FRIEND in friendship. She is the reason you don’t talk during ER. She is the reason the batter stands at the plate with fear in their eyes. Jonsye is the homemade rolls guru. She is the gatekeeper of the secrets. She is the reason we know that a mess can always be cleaned up and that you should always pick your battles. Jonsye is the one who always told you, “just be you and to hell with what people think.” She is the one who gives you guts and makes you fearless. Jonsye is the one love songs are about. She is “THE ONE” you never saw coming. Jonsye is the one who left ovarian cancer beaten and bloody in the pits of hell. She got to the end of the rope, tied a knot, and hung on. Jonsye is the white in the knuckle, the gold in the buckle. She is hooked on an 8-second ride but she rode this life to a stand-still.

Funeral service will be 10 a.m., Wednesday, February 21 at McConnell Funeral Home Chapel in Greenwood with burial at Union Ridge Cemetery in Dayton. Viewing will be Tuesday from 1 – 8 p.m. at the funeral home, where the family will visit with friends from 6 – 8 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to River Valley Ovarian Cancer Alliance, P.O. Box 11133, Fort Smith, AR 72917.