Phyllis Yeamans Bailey

Born and raised in Plainville, Connecticut, Phyllis developed an early passion and talent for piano. She landed her first paid job playing for a dance studio at age 13, and in high school she performed in major concerts and with bands in Connecticut and New York City. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Music Education at Western College for Women in Oxford, Ohio, where she met her future husband, Earl Bailey.

They started their family in Texas, then moved to Tuscaloosa, where Phyllis taught private piano lessons. They spent three years in Massachusetts, where she studied organ and conducting at the New England Conservatory in Cambridge. Phyllis played organs in churches across New England and earned her Choir Master Certification from the American Guild of Organists.

Upon returning to Alabama in 1969, Phyllis started her teaching career in Tuscaloosa County Schools. She worked at Tuscaloosa Academy for 15 years teaching music and journalism, producing student musicals, and supervising the school newspaper. She earned a Master of Arts in Music Education at The University of Alabama and served as organist and choirmaster at Canterbury Chapel Episcopal Church in Tuscaloosa for over a decade.

During a year-long stint in Seattle, Phyllis worked for an accounting firm and learned advanced computer skills, giving her the expertise to later manage the computer and accounting systems of Northwest Alabama Mental Health Center in Fayette, Alabama.

Phyllis had a deep love of nature’s beauty, God’s creatures, and travel. She and Earl led their children on long camping trips to Cape Cod and the Canadian Rockies and on summer-long backpacking trips through the wilderness of Wyoming and Montana. Phyllis arranged numerous trips to Europe and loved to visit family, friends, and cultural sites.

In 1992, Phyllis and Earl moved to the banks of the Little Cahaba River in Brierfield, Alabama, and finished their long-term project of building a log home with oaks and hickories hand-felled on the property. Phyllis managed Orchidbabies, a greenhouse and orchid business where the couple bred and sold orchid hybrids bearing the name “Cahaba.”

They worked as a team to protect the rare species of plants and fish found in Bibb County. In 2007, they established a conservation easement with The Nature Conservancy to preserve a mile of pristine river frontage. The Cahaba River Society awarded them a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2014 for these efforts and for establishing Bibb County Citizens for Wildflowers. They also received the Kae Cannon Allen Award for their work to preserve the natural environment of Bibb County and Alabama.

Phyllis had a zest for life. She laughed often, relished silly jokes, and made friends everywhere she went. She was a “second Mom,” counselor, and confidante to many. Phyllis loved others with genuine affection and will be deeply missed.

Phyllis was preceded in death by her husband, James Earl Bailey; parents Wilfred H. Yeamans and Mary G. Yeamans; and sisters, Carole Bardes and Sharon Rodriquez. She is survived by her children, Susan B. Mattison (Jim), Mercer Island, Washington; and James E. Bailey Jr. (Sharon), Memphis, Tennessee; and grandchildren, Claire Bailey, Denver, Colorado; Spence Bailey (Hope), Memphis, Tennessee; and Katie Mattison, Seattle, Washington.

The family wishes to extend their special thanks to LaToya Jones, Terralyn Muttaki, and Dr. Ross Vaughn for their loving and compassionate care.

A brief graveside service will be held Friday, November 6, 2 pm, Alabama National Cemetery, 3133 Highway 119, Montevallo, Alabama.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, November 7, 11 am, Christ Episcopal Church, 605 Lurleen B Wallace Blvd N, Tuscaloosa, Alabama, reception to follow.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to

Cahaba River Coalition, https://cahabarivercoalition.org, 2717 7th Ave South, Suite 205, Birmingham, AL 35233; or

Christ Episcopal Church Adult Choir, https://christchurchtuscaloosa.com, 605 Lurleen B Wallace Blvd N, Tuscaloosa, AL 35401.