Marguerite Hand Bailey

Marguerite Hand Bailey, age 92, passed away on June 20, 2024, in Athens, Georgia after a brief illness. Her life was a tapestry of love and faith, and she will be missed by her family who loved her dearly.

Born on January 1, 1932, to Marlow and Lyda (Clements) Hand, Marguerite was the first baby born in Waycross, Georgia, that year. She grew up in Jeff Davis County, Georgia, graduating from Hazlehurst High School after 11th grade (the highest grade at that time) with perfect attendance. She was valedictorian of her class. She began her college studies at South Georgia College. It was there that she met Earl Bailey, a handsome fellow student fresh out of the Marine Corps. They married in 1951 and enjoyed almost 65 years together before Earl’s passing. They had five children together, and their family grew to include nine grandchildren and nineteen great-grandchildren.

Marguerite completed her college degree at Georgia Southern College after the birth of her youngest child. She taught high school business courses at Northside High School in Warner Robins, Georgia for many years. She and Earl, who both came from hard working South Georgia farm families, highly valued education. They instilled this in their children and saw all of them graduate from college and earn advanced degrees. She was also a voracious reader, bringing home bags of library books every week.

Faith and family were the center points of Marguerite's life. She was a lifelong Baptist and was active in a local church everywhere she lived. She taught a ladies Sunday school class at Mars Hill Baptist Church for many years. She was a devoted daughter, becoming a caregiver to her own mother and younger brother in the latter years of their lives. She was quiet in nature, but never missed anything going on around her, even in recent years of failing health. She always wanted updates on how every family member was doing. We know that she prayed often for us, and we were blessed to be on the receiving end of those prayers.

Marguerite loved her sisters and brothers. She and her sisters, especially, got together as often as they could. In their years of raising children, there was usually a suitcase pulled out at those visits and hand-me-down clothing was passed around among the cousins. Their get-togethers always involved lots of storytelling and laughter. Lots and lots of laughter. Holiday family gatherings were a tradition that she continued and will be cherished by her children and grandchildren.

Marguerite was a talented seamstress and mastered a variety of needlework. She was a prolific quilter and gifted many quilts to her children and grandchildren. Long after she could no longer physically handle needle and thread, she still quilted in her dreams. Even at the end of her life, she spoke of needing to “finish the seam.”

Mom let us know the day before her passing that she had dreamed of angels and was ready to go with them. We are so grateful for the angel that she was amongst us and for her strong and faithful guiding light.

Marguerite was predeceased by her husband, Marion Earl Bailey. She is survived by two sisters, Grace Barton and Joyce Zipperer; three sons, Stan Bailey (Jayne), Victor Bailey and David Bailey (Kim); two daughters, Emily Bailey and Gwen Bailey (David Radcliffe); nine grandchildren, Sarah Sirzyk (David), Trina Bailey, Monica Bailey (Jason Hardwick), Mary Bailey (Tay Williams), Marcus Bailey, Keith Bailey, Elliott Radcliffe, Joseph Greathouse (Kaylee) and Jason Greathouse (Meghan); and 19 great-grandchildren, James Sirzyk, Nellie Sirzyk, Sully Sirzyk, Stephan Gagnier, Harlowe Bailey, Harper Doughty, Lyric Doughty, Luna Doughty, Aubrey Hardwick, Braxton Watson, Nick Bailey, Abigail Bailey, Myion Bess, Robert Campbell, Jr, Jocelyn Campbell, Tay Williams, Sydney Greathouse, Johnathan Greathouse and Maxine Greathouse; and many nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank the ministerial staff of First Presbyterian Church, Athens, Georgia, for their pastoral visits and the staff of Legacy Village of Athens for the care provided to our mom.

Marguerite’s funeral will be held Tuesday, June 25, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. at Bernstein’s Funeral Home, Athens, preceded by visitation at 10:00 a.m. Memorial donations may be made to your favorite charity.

Bernstein Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.