Bailee Emelle Kitchens Lauersdorf

Bailee Emelle Kitchens Lauersdorf, 29, of Atlanta, passed away unexpectedly on March 19, 2021 in Gainesville, GA. Born November 22, 1991, she was the second child and only daughter of Dennis and Dena Kitchens. She was educated through the International Baccalaureate Program in the Norcross Cluster of Gwinnett County, GA and went on to graduate summa cum laude from Mercer University in Macon. On August 1, 2015, Bailee and Zachry Lauersdorf were married at Brookhaven United Methodist Church, which had been her church home for most of her life. Less than a year ago she completed her Masters of Social Work at University of North Carolina-Charlotte, where she graduated summa cum laude. Bailee was just beginning her career as a social worker at Georgia HOPE.

Bailee wore her faith in the way she lived her life, caring deeply and working for those who suffered, were disadvantaged, or had been victimized. She was committed to making a difference in the lives of others, and has continued to do so after her life ended as an organ donor. Bailee loved children and was known by others as a “Baby Whisperer.” Her creativity and unique spirit served her well in teaching, guiding, and loving the children in her life.

Bailee is preceded in death by her maternal grandfather, O. Clyde Bales, her paternal grandparents, Mike and Margaret Kitchens, and three uncles.

Bailee is survived by her loving husband, Zachry Lauersdorf, her parents, Dennis and Dena Kitchens, her brothers, Taylor Kitchens and Graham Kitchens, Graham’s child, who she affectionately nicknamed “Trouble”, her grandmother Gail Sheffer and husband Charles, aunts, uncles and cousins.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, August 21, 2021 at 3:00pm at Brookhaven United Methodist Church. We really appreciate your prayers, comments, and your interest in remembering our precious girl.

The family of Bailee wishes to express profound appreciation to the medical staff and chaplaincy team at Northeast Georgia Medical Center, who helped make an unbearable situation bearable. Profound thanks also goes to LifeLink, who worked diligently to fulfill her adamant wish for her organs to be used to help others.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to LifeLink or to any charity which supports those who are disadvantaged or victimized.

We would like to share with you the words collected from friends and family and given to be read to the organ procurement team, so that they could learn a little bit about her:

She was a creative soul, who allowed Divine love to flow through her actions. She was a social worker with a heart for the disadvantaged and the victimized. She was a strong woman who was stubborn from the womb to the end. She was patient and kind, and showed deep love to her friends, family, and husband. She had a competitive spirit and was a fierce board game enthusiast. She loved surprising people in small ways and plotting shenanigans. She may not have always known her right from her left, but she was a “Baby Whisperer” like her grandmother before her. She saw the beauty in everyone, even if they couldn’t see it for themselves.