Mary D. Bailey

Mary D. Bailey, 80. Washington, died Sunday, April 18, 2021 at her home. A funeral service will be held 6:30 p.m., Tuesday, April 20, at Ward Funeral Home in Washington. The family will receive friends from 6 p.m. to service time at the funeral home. Pastor Ron Brown will officiate. Music selections are “Beulah Land,” “In the Garden,” “How Great Thou Art,” “Farside Bank of Jordan” and “ Old Rugged Cross.” Mary was born on April 8, 1941 in Baltimore, Md. to Joseph and Ruth Ray. She graduated from Howard County Sr. High School in Columbia, Md., attended modeling school, and then met and fell in love with Richard Bailey at Phipps Store in Hebbville, Md. They were married on August 8, 1959 in Ellicott City, Md. Their marriage weathered the storms forming a fiercely strong bond lasting 58 years, at which time Richard left to wait for her on “The Far Banks of Jordan.” During her life, Mary’s talents were enjoyed by all she met. She was innately creative and could arrange beautiful bouquets as easily as tossing a few ingredients together to make a meal rivaled by any chef. Cooking was her passion and nothing brought her more pleasure or relaxation than when she was doing it for others. Her small, packed home always had room for more and enough food to feed an army or two! Her love for all was evident as she lavished them with her home cooking and open arms making her home so warm and inviting. Mary had a way of coordinating outfits that gave her that classic movie star appearance. She was a beautiful woman modeling the most proper behavior in public. Yet, she didn’t put on airs and her sense of humor could turn laughter to uncontrollable giggles in which she embarrassingly participated. She was so funny! As she leaves a plethora of broken hearts behind, those same hearts are filled with the joy of knowing that she now stands in the presence of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, reunited with her mom, dad, siblings and especially Richard. Survivors include five children, Debbie (John) Karpiak, Corsicana, Tex., Tami (Vince) VanSant, Belleville, Kan., Terry (Ruth) Bailey, Corsicana, Tex., Lisa (Larry) Kehne, Charlestown, W. Va., and Michele Morris, Greenleaf, Kan.; grandchildren, Richie Huffman, Stephen Bailey, Candace Bailey, Claire (Bill) Lahodny, Shane Saleker, Bonnie (Dylan) Seley, Tyler VanSant, Kenner Karpiak, Meghan McGlohen; three great-grandchildren, Annabelle Lahodny, Magnolia Lahodny and Barrett O’Brien Seley; and two very special friends, Carmen and Ralph Pierce, Linn, Kan. A memorial fund has been established and will be designated later. Contributions may be sent in care of Ward Funeral Home. Click here to see the video of Mary's funeral service. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Mary D. Bailey, please visit our flower store.