Ella Mae Bailey

She was born on January 24, 1926, the 3rd youngest of 9 children to Lonnie Lee and Flora (Fox) Johnson in Cookeville, Tennessee. She was raised in Cookeville, then she moved to Detroit, Michigan in 1942 at age 16 to work in the factories. She met Marion Frances Bailey through his brother, and after a brief courtship, they were married on February 27, 1946 in Detroit. They lived in the suburbs of Detroit, Roseville and Livonia until they moved to Arizona in 1975. In 1979 they moved to San Diego and moved back to Mesa, Arizona in 2002 to be close to family. Ella stayed home to care for her family until Elaine and Wayne were grown and then started a career as a Supervisor of Housekeeping in nursing homes from 1970 to age 65 in 1991. Ella’s favorite thing was spending time with her family and friends. She also loved music and dancing.

Ella is survived by her daughter, Margaret Elaine Henry (Orvil “Hank”); son, Wayne Lee Bailey (Pat); grandchildren Bradford Lee Bailey, Elizabeth Louise Sexton (Arron), Lauren Ann Jaramillo (Richard), David Wayne Keene; great grandchildren Samantha Marie Rios (Abel), Richard Augustine Jaramillo Jr. (Melissa), Isis Renee Keene, Makayla Frances Keene; great-great grandchild, Robin Mae Jaramillo; sister Velma Bohannon, and many nieces and nephews.

Viewing/ visitation will be held on Wednesday, April 27, at Mariposa Gardens Memorial Park, followed by funeral service at 11 am at Mariposa Gardens. Interment will follow the funeral service at Mariposa Gardens Memorial Park.