Obituary for Mary Bailey

Mary Louise Bailey

October 17, 1936 – November 29, 2016

Mary Louise King Bailey went home to be with her Lord and Savior Nov. 29, 2016, in Ponca City, surrounded by her husband and daughters. Her fun, outgoing, and loving spirit will be missed by all who knew her.

Mary was born Oct. 17, 1936 in Tonkawa, OK. Her parents were Rev. W.R. and Agnes Main King. She began piano lessons at six and often played for church services her father preached. She was also a talented singer and always brought groups of all kinds of people together in song. She played handbells and directed several choirs. Her last performance was at her 80th birthday party, Nov. 5, 2016.

Mary graduated from Tonkawa High School in 1954 and Okla. Baptist Univ. in 1958, majoring in Music Education, followed by a Master of Arts in Vocal Performance at Colorado State Univ. She taught elementary music, private piano and voice lessons for 35 years in 5 states, moving as her husband Roger Bailey’s position as Electrical Engineer transferred.

When it was time to retire, they chose Tonkawa, OK, and the house where Mary was born and raised. In retirement she was a member of First Baptist Church, Ponca City, where she sang in the choir, played piano for Sunday school opening, and occasionally played organ for worship.

Mary’s life verse was Proverbs 3:5-6, ”Trust in the Lord with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight” (NASB).

Mary loved reading, genealogy, crossword puzzles, attending club meetings (SAI, PEO, DAR, Delphi Book Club), and long vacations. She traveled the world with her husband, especially in retirement. Last summer they took an Alaskan cruise with two of their daughters, Nancy Ruth Bailey and Holly Peart, and Mary’s sister Ruth Frost.

Mary is preceded in death by her parents, Rev. W.R. and Agnes Main King, and daughter Ronna Terrell Bailey. She is survived by her husband Roger Bailey; three children: Angie Malezieux and husband Gilles of Magnolia, TX; Nancy Ruth Bailey of Tonkawa; and Holly Bailey Peart of Tonkawa; three grandchildren: Léa, Tristan and Solène Malezieux of Magnolia, TX; brother Dr. A. Joseph King and wife Sue of Ft. Worth, TX; sister Ruth Frost of Clinton, MS; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Services will be held Monday, Dec. 5, at 10:00 a.m. at First Baptist Church, Ponca City. Interment will be in the I.O.O.F. cemetery in Tonkawa, OK. The family has suggested memorials be sent to Oklahoma Baptist University in care of the Ronna Terrell Bailey Memorial Scholarship fund. Contributions may be left at Grace Memorial Chapel.