Michele Renee' Morris

Michele Renee Morris (Bailey), 54, passed away peacefully at her home in Greenleaf, Kansas on November 7, 2023.

Michele was born in Baltimore, Maryland to Richard and Mary Bailey (Ray) on September 27, 1969.  She graduated from Thomas Johnson high school in Fredrick Maryland and diligently worked her way up in the business world where she earned her cosmetology certification, managed a McDonald’s franchise in Maryland and the cosmetics department at HEB in Texas, and cooked at Mayberry’s restaurant in Washington, Kansas. Later, she went on to assemble and program irrigation systems at Reinke in Belleville, Kansas. In 2009, Michele established The Itty Bitty Deli in Washington, Kansas which was loved for its gourmet soups, salads, sandwiches, and delicious baked goods.

She had a warm and welcoming heart for all whom she met. Michele loved to host and cater community events, serve home cooked meals with passion, and teach others about God’s never-ending grace.

Some of Michele’s fondest memories included sledding at her childhood home while her dad built warm barrel fires for the community and her mom served toasty hot cocoa, she enjoyed assisting her parents with the Wheat Growers Hotel in Kimball, Nebraska, fishing for crabs on the bay with her dad, and floating down the Guadalupe River in Texas with her family.

 In her free time, Michele enjoyed reading Ted Dekker novels with a cup of hot tea, watching hallmark movies with her mom, spending time with God in nature, and cherishing the time she shared with her daughter Meghan. Together they enjoyed long car rides with heart-felt conversations, watching movies, (especially old black-and-white films) and playing board games such as Parcheesi or Yahtzee.

Michele will be missed for her delicious culinary creations, contagious laughter and hilarious sense of humor, her kind and gentle heart, and her soul restoring hugs.

As she leaves an abundance 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 and dad.

 Survivors include daughter Meghan McGlohen, Lawrence, Kan., four siblings, Debbie (John) Karpiak, Corsicana, Tex., Tami (Vince) VanSant, Belleville, Kan., Terry (Ruth) Bailey, Corsicana, Tex., Lisa (Larry) Kehne, Charlestown, W. Va.; nieces and nephews, Richie Huffman, Stephen Bailey, Candace Bailey, Claire (Bill) Lahodny, Shane Saleker, Bonnie (Dylan) Seley, Tyler VanSant, and Kenner Karpiak.

A memorial fund is established and contributions may be sent in care of Ward Funeral Home, Washington Kansas.