Mildred Joyce Bailey Boydston stepped over into Heaven, February 24, 2015, at 10:30 p.m. She had been living near her daughter Elizabeth in Houston, Missouri for the past several years but maintained her home in Olive Branch, MS. She was a member of Northside Baptist Church in Houston, MO. Mildred was born to Luther and Stella Bailey on December 29, 1917 in Memphis, TN. She was the oldest of 5 children. Surviving her are sister, Eleanor Hull and her brother Joe Bailey (Joann), both of the Memphis area. Christine Bailey and L.E. Bailey have preceded her in death. She attended A. B. Hill elementary and Southside High School in Memphis. She worked in Civil Service, was an owner/manager of the Russell Stover candy store, and was a Board Member for the National League of American Pen women. An accomplished poet, she won many awards for her poetry and was named Poet Laureate of Tennessee. In 1999 she was awarded a Doctorate in Poetic Literature by the NLAPW. Mildred served as president of the Memphis branch of the National League of American Penwomen and was the Tennessee state president from 1986 to 1990. She served as Vice President of the 14th World Congress of Poets in 1995. A Golden Poet Laureate crown and the World Haiku Poetry Award were to Mildred. Besides her involvement in poetry, she was an accomplished pianist/organist and served various churches in that capacity. She was married to James W. Boydston for 62 years. A much decorated, retired Army Officer, he preceded her in death in 2004. She had 5 children, Peggy Jones ( Ralph), Linda Lochridge (Jerry), L.E. Bailey Boydston (Lynn), Elizabeth Curtis (Elmer), Barbara Romanoff (Alex), and one step-daughter Jennifer Franklin. There are 25 grandchildren, 44 great-grandchildren and 4 great-great-grandchildren. Services will be held at Brantley Funeral Home in Olive Branch, MS on Wednesday, March 4, with visitation at 11 a.m. and memorial service at 12:30 p.m. Rev. Wesley Wallace, pastor of Northside Baptist Church will conduct the services. A private burial service will be held later at the Tennessee Veterans cementary. Online condolences may be made at www.BrantleyFuneral.com Brantley Funeral Home Olive Branch (662)895-2310
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