Elizabeth Jeanne Bailes

Elizabeth (Betty) was born on December 22,1926 and went to heaven on December 21,2025, just 8 hours shy of her 99th birthday. She was the third of five daughters born to Annie McKinney Washington and Otto Washington. She grew up in Waco, Texas where she attended Columbus Avenue Baptist Church and Waco public schools. She was a1944 graduate of Waco High School and attended Baylor University for a year. Betty worked as a laboratory and X-ray technician for several years. In fact, she met her future husband, Kenneth Bailes, while working at a clinic in Henderson, Texas. They married on April8,1950 and were married for over 61 years, until Ken’s death. Their only child, Cathy, was born in October of 1951 and Betty’s dream of becoming a mom began. She was a devoted mom, actively involved in their church’s programs and Cathy’s school and dance activities. Betty was naturally creative, teaching herself to sew to make dance costumes and developing this talent, eventually designing and making Cathy’s wedding dress. She and Kenneth were thrilled to welcome a son-in-law, Larry, into their family in 1976. And they were overjoyed to become “Mimi” and” Pappy” to Laurel Wheatley in 1986. Laurel and her Mimi had many adventurous times together, forming an extraordinary bond. Betty had a natural flair for decorating. She would design a piece of furniture and Kenneth would build it. In 1971, she began her design company, Betty Bailes Interiors. Creating and seeing her designs come to fruition were some of the happiest years of her life. She continued decorating for over 40 years, until her eyesight began to fail.

Betty loved the Lord and taught children’s Bible Study and Vacation Bibe School classes for many years at Rice Temple Baptist Church and Sharpstown Baptist Church. She and Kenneth have worshipped at Second Baptist Church for the last 37 years. Our family knows that she is now with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. And she is in the company of her Knuth, her mom and sisters and she can see brilliant colors and hear every sound perfectly!

Betty is survived by Cathy and Larry Wheatley, her grand daughter,Laurel , and Laurel’s fiancé, Matt Hutton.

A Memorial Service celebrating Betty’s life will be held on January 15 at 1p.m. in the Chapel of Second Baptist Church -Woodway Campus.

The family wishes to thank Stephanie and all the nurses at Houston Hospice for their loving care of Elizabeth during her stay there. In lieu of flowers, please make donations in Elizabeth’s memory to:

Houston Hospice

1905 Holcombe

Houston Texas 77030