Doris Evelyn Blackwell Bailey

Doris was born September 26, 1937 in Mt. Pleasant, Texas and grew up in Amarillo, Texas. She graduated from Amarillo High School and attended Amarillo Junior College before marrying her high school sweetheart. She and John Bailey were married in 1958 and soon moved to Waco, Texas. The years in Waco were filled with raising four small children, working at Bairds Bakery, and encouraging John while he attended Baylor. Following God’s call, they served in many Southern Baptist churches in the Texas communities of New Baden, China Springs, Bruceville-Eddy, Hutto, Briggs and Austin. Doris embodied the role of the preacher’s wife with careful, thoughtful acts of kindness and was a constant reminder of God’s unfailing love. When they were called to Gateway Baptist Church, Doris returned to the workforce and ultimately worked 25 years with ACC as a payroll specialist, while continuing to be an active partner in the ministry of the church.

For the past 19 months, Doris had been engaged in a courageous battle with glioblastoma multiforme; a brain tumor. Her “peace that passes understanding” was a witness and inspiration to all who knew her.

The family would like to acknowledge the wonderful, loving care shown to Doris by the IMCU and ICU staff at Brackenridge Hospital, especially nurses Katie, Meagan and Windy. Texas Oncology’s nurses, Amanda and Karen, who administered the biweekly infusions, were especially gentle and efficient.

Doris is survived by her husband of 52 years, John Bailey, and their four children: Gaye Lynn Bailey of Ft. Worth, David Bailey and wife Debbie of Pflugerville, Karen Serpa and husband John of Katy, and Patty Hamner and husband Richard of San Antonio. She is further survived by her six grandchildren: Joshua, Jenifer, Sydney, Daniel, Jake, Saskia; also by her sister Martha Sorrell, husband Phil and her two nieces, Sheri and Sandy. She was preceded in death by her mother, father and two sisters.

The family will receive friends Friday, November 19, 2010, from 6:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. at the Cook-Walden Chapel of the Hills Funeral Home, located at 9700 Anderson Mill Road in Austin, Texas. The funeral service will be held Saturday, November 20, 2010 at 1:00 p.m. at Great Hills Baptist Church, 10500 Jollyville Road, Austin, Texas 78759. Burial will follow at Cook-Walden/Capital Parks Cemetery in Pflugerville, Texas.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Wycliffe Bible Translators at P.O. Box 628211, Orlando, FL 32862 or Wycliffe.org.