Myra Dean Strickland Bailey

January 22, 1933 – March 8, 2025

Myra Dean Bailey Strickland, 92, of Smiths Station, Alabama, passed away peacefully on Saturday, March 8, surrounded by her family. Though we grieve her passing, we rejoice in knowing she has entered into the presence of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, whom she faithfully served throughout her life.

Dean was born on January 22, 1933, in Phenix City, Alabama, on Broad Street, to Raleigh Dewitt Strickland and Ruth Lucille Strickland. Though she lost her parents at an early age, the Lord provided her with the love and care of her dear aunt, Bessie Strickland, who nurtured and raised her.

In 1951, she married the love of her life, Emory Parker Bailey, Jr. Together, they built a marriage that reflected Christ’s love and faithfulness, sharing 74 beautiful years side by side. They were blessed with two daughters, Linda and Kaye, and Dean’s greatest joy was being a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She poured into the lives of her family with kindness, wisdom, and the unwavering belief that faith in God would sustain them through all seasons of life. Dean dedicated 46 years of her life to serving others as an LPN, demonstrating the heart of a servant in her calling as a nurse. She took great pride in caring for her patients, treating each one with compassion, dignity, and love. Nursing was not just her profession—it was her ministry, a way to reflect Christ’s hands and heart to those in need.

Her faith was the foundation of her life. She was a devoted member of Summerville Baptist Church in Phenix City since 1963, where she faithfully led a Sunday School class and was an active member of the KY’s Group. Dean believed deeply in the power of prayer, the strength of the church family, and the promise of eternal life in Christ. She lived her faith daily, sharing the love of Jesus in both word and action.

Dean was preceded in death by her parents, brother Raleigh Strickland, sister Anita Horne, and daughter Linda Humphries and great grandson Parks Hudson. While we mourn their absence, we rejoice in the heavenly reunion that has now taken place.

She is survived by her devoted husband, Emory Parker Bailey; her loving daughter, Kaye Sinkule; her cherished grandchildren, Heather Kite (Shane), Liz Hudson (Benjamine), Elijah Humphries, and Katherine Hart (Christian); and her precious great-grandchildren, Haleigh Kite, Brytton Hudson, and Bennett Hudson. Her family was the joy of her heart, and her legacy of faith, love, and kindness will live on in each of them.

Those who knew Dean will remember her unwavering trust in the goodness of God, her gentle spirit, and her heart that overflowed with love. She found joy in the simple blessings of life and took every opportunity to encourage others in their walk with the Lord. Her faith never wavered, and now she has received her heavenly reward.

A Service to Celebrate Dean’s Life and Faith will be held on Wednesday, March 12, 2025 at Summerville Baptist Church, Phenix City, with interment to follow at Lakeview Memory Gardens in Phenix City. Family and friends are invited to a visitation on Tuesday, March 11, 2025 at Striffler Hamby Mortuary in Phenix City from 5:00-7:00 pm EST, as well as the reception following the funeral and interment in the Fellowship Hall at Summerville Baptist Church.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Summerville Baptist Church in Phenix City, a ministry close to Dean’s heart, as a way to continue her legacy of love and service. Though our hearts are heavy, we take comfort in 2 Timothy 4:7— "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." Dean has now heard the words she longed to hear: "Well done, good and faithful servant." She is home.