Mary Alice Bailey Wood

Mary Alice Bailey Wood, age 81, resident of Columbus, passed away at her home in the loving arms of her granddaughter, Casie Morrison in Columbus, GA on January 28, 2011. Funeral services will be held at the Chapel of Striffler-Hamby Mortuary, 4071 Macon Road, Columbus on Monday, January 31, 2011, 11:30 a.m. with Chaplain Bill Mayhew officiating. Interment will follow at Fort Mitchell National Cemetery, Fort Mitchell, AL. The family received friends at the funeral home on Sunday, January 30, 2011 from 2-4 p.m. Pallbearers will be Calvin Riley, Don Riley, John M. Riley, Bobby Riley, Kenneth Cook, Robert Cook, and Ricky Cook.

Mary was born October 26, 1929 in Clopton, AL, daughter of the late Inez and Robert Bailey. Mary retired from civil service at Fort Benning, where she faithfully served in dental accounting for over 21 years. She was a member of ABWA for 39 years, serving three terms as President and was chosen Woman of the Year. She also enjoyed being a member of NARFE for many years. Ms. Wood will mostly be remembered in Columbus, GA as the Doll Collector. She gave us love, patience, kindness, and understanding. Other than her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, George Wood; six sisters, Ruth Sauls, Ann Bailey Robinson, Hettie Cook, Ethel Bailey, Ella Foy Riley, and Bobbie Nell Shay; six brothers, Ronnie Blankenship, Raymond Blankenship, Jimmy Bailey, LeRoy Cook, Sr, Floyd Cook, and James Cook; and most recently her beloved son, Steve Brooks.

She is survived by three daughters, Sandra Lori Brooks of Panama City, FL, Betty Abby Singletary of Georgetown, GA, and Barbara Albritton and her husband Eddie of Barnesville, GA; one son, Faron Brooks and his wife Ginny of Columbia, SC; one step-son, Ed Wood of Columbus; two sisters, Martha Sands and Lillian Watson; seven brothers, Earl Bud Blankenship, Willie Ray Blankenship, Charles Blankenship, Lonnie Blankenship, William Blankenship, Homer Blankenship, and Raymond Earl Bailey; 11 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; 7 great-great-grandchildren; and her most special best friend and sister-in-law Merle Cotton.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made to Vista Care Hospice, 100 Brookstone Centre Parkway, Columbus, GA 31904.

Condolences may be offered at www.shcolumbus.com.