Evelyn Taylor Bailey

On July 25, 2020, at age 93, Evelyn Inez Taylor Bailey passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her family and went to her heavenly home to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and reunite with her beloved husband. She loved the Lord with all her heart, and she loved her family dearly and was so thankful and proud of each and every one. Her passion in life was sharing the love of Jesus and His Plan of Salvation for all.

Evelyn was born on November 8, 1926 in McDade, TX to Velma Bailey Allen Taylor and Wilson Henry Taylor and grew up on a farm. At age 21, she and Lee Keith Bailey were married on December 21, 1947 in Austin, TX at the East Avenue Baptist Church. After founding and pastoring several churches in Texas and California, they moved to Augusta, GA in August of 1971, where they served in ministry at National Hills Baptist Church in Augusta, Providence Baptist Church in Johnston, SC, and Calvary Baptist Church in Augusta.

At age 17, she got her first job at the Western Union Telegraph Office in Austin, TX. On her 18th birthday, she got a job working at the National Guard at Camp Mabry and used her stenography (short-hand) skills to work for the Major. Because of her skills, she was soon transferred to the State Capital Building in Austin to work for the Colonel. She did administrative work until she retired from the Engineering Service at the VA Medical Center in Augusta in 1986. She also taught Sunday School and Vacation Bible School for many years as well as Kindergarten. The four-year-olds were her favorites.

Evelyn is survived by her Daughter, Donna Bailey Leida (Stan), and her Son, Lee Keith Bailey, Jr., and by her Granddaughters, Sheri McClung Agee (Christopher), Christi McClung Skarosi, and Lucy Leida Carver (Francis). She is also survived by her Great-Grandchildren, Sierra Nicole Agee, Brooke Alexandra Agee, Clinton Tyler Skarosi, Alexis (Lexi) Chelby Skarosi, John Carver (Cybill), and Jordan Carver, as well as nieces, nephews, and cousins in Texas, New Mexico, and Arkansas.

Evelyn was preceded in death by her husband of 48 years, Rev. Lee Keith Bailey, Sr., and by her parents, Velma Bailey Allen Taylor and Wilson Henry Taylor. She was the last surviving sibling of twelve brothers and sisters. They are Charlene Taylor Amidon, Louise Taylor Fredrickson, Beatrice Taylor Tyler, Estelle Taylor Moore, Milburn Allen, Sam Allen, Lillie Allen, Irene Allen, Theo Taylor, Virgil Taylor, and Opal Taylor.

After their retirement from the ministry, Evelyn became a member of Warren Baptist Church for many years, and also frequently attended Freedom Bible Church in Evans, GA with her family.

The family will have a private service on Thursday, July 30, 2020 at 12:00 Noon at Platt's Funeral Home on Crawford Avenue and burial will be at Westover Memorial Park. Pastor Eric Echols of Freedom Bible Church will officiate her Celebration of Life. Pallbearers will be her Granddaughters, Sheri McClung Agee and Christi McClung Skarosi, and her Great-Granddaughters, Sierra Nicole Agee and Brooke Alexandra Agee.

If so desired, memorials may be made to Freedom Bible Church at 777 Blanchard Road, Evans, GA 30809 or to the Alzheimer's Association of Augusta, 1899 Central Avenue, Augusta, GA 30904.