Virginia Bertha Bayes

Virginia Bertha Bayes, 74, of Emmett, Idaho unexpectedly passed away August of 2017 in Shoshone County, Idaho. She was born February 10, 1943 in Nampa, Idaho. She was the oldest of four children born to Donald LeRoy and Bertha Alice Mattox who worked in farming and dairy production in rural Notus, Idaho.

Virginia married Walter Leo Bayes on May 24, 1961 in a private ceremony at the New Plymouth Nazarene Church following her high school graduation. They were married 56 years when Virginia passed away unexpectedly.

She was a very devoted Christian. Her grandchildren loved her dearly and will miss picking flowers and spending time with her in her garden. The great grandchildren will miss gathering the eggs, as well as the antics of her and Fred, her faithful beloved pet and partner in crime. Nieces and nephews speak very highly of her. Her children are her legacy and it is one to be so proud of; they showered her with floral arrangements and chocolate covered strawberries, as well as Tillamook medium cheddar cheese. Her cherished children made it a priority to let her know she was highly valued by receiving her early morning phone calls and chit-chats throughout the day as she was voicing her discoveries of the country view from her kitchen window or a concern for a family member.

Virginia was a stay at home mom and spent time in various fruit orchards and numerous fields instilling work ethics and Christian values in her children. She enjoyed her time as a pastor’s wife at the Fargo Community Church visiting the elderly and organizing church pot lucks. These values were further instilled into her children through her everyday life throughout her years in the home and interaction at family get-togethers. She made sure she kissed and prayed with her husband before he left for the day. She loved showing off her active athletic, diversified, and outgoing family. Consequently, she introduced them with pride wherever she went and didn’t hesitate to reprimand her children as adults. It was not uncommon to see her in a long colorful skirt chasing a strong willed boy with a small tree branch to readjust the child’s perspective of the situation even though he was a rambunctious backwoods country boy.

Retirement years were spent living close to family, camping at family reunions, fishing for bass, hunting for elusive wild game, and digging for gold with her husband. She also enjoyed babysitting grand and great grandchildren on the spur of the moment. She enjoyed watching the New Plymouth Children’s Rodeo and was excited when the children brought home their chickens and pigs as their prizes. She faithfully called her children and grandchildren for birthdays and anniversaries.

Our family is very grateful for the love and prayers offered up on our behalf during our time of bereavement. We would like to give a special thank you to Pansy Bryson for being a special friend and assisting our mother with intricacies of the household. We also want to say thanks to the Shoshone County Search and Rescue, U.S. Forest Service, Shoshone Sheriff’s Department and the ground crew for their dedication and services during our time of need.

Virginia is survived by her husband and 16 children, Shirley Ott (Michael) of Saint Francisville, Louisiana; Elaine Burdine (David) of Wilder, Idaho; Helen Stone (Benny) of Ashton, Idaho; Wayne Bayes (Lisa) of Wilder, Idaho; Joseph Bayes (Laura) of Nyssa, Oregon; Sarah Nesbitt (Kevin) of Emmett, Idaho; Ruth Mitchell (Matthew) of Homer, Alaska; Hannah McCausey (Wayne) of Ashton, Idaho; Jeff Bayes (Lacey) of New Plymouth, Idaho; Simon Bayes (Christy) of Wilder, Idaho; Nathan Bayes (LaDawn) of Adrian, Oregon; Caleb Bayes (Anna) of Fruitland, Idaho; Johnathan Bayes (Anna) of Parma, Idaho; Hope Jordan (Richard) of Parma, Idaho; Noah Bayes of Parma, Idaho; and Elizabeth Witty (Joseph) of Adrian, Oregon. She is survived by her brother Morris Mattox and sisters, Loretta Mattox and Gail Edmonds as well as 51 grandchildren and 27 great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her father Donald LeRoy Mattox, mother Bertha Alice Edmonds, her stepfather Everett Edmonds, brother Alvin Mattox and great grandson Robbie Lumpkin.

A memorial will be held at 1 pm, Wednesday, August 16th at the First Baptist Church, 204 E Elm Street, New Plymouth, Idaho. Condolences may be made to Virginia’s family at www.shafferp-jensenchapel.com.