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Betty Kay Baisey Bailey, 80 of Keysville, went to be with her Lord on Aug. 30. She was born on Nov. 7, 1943, in Victoria, to Willie H. “Bill” Baisey and Eva Tanner Baisey. She grew up in the time of the Virginia Railway and its roundhouse operation in Victoria, knowing her hometown in its glory days.

After graduating from Victoria High School, Betty devoted her attention to raising her two children in Victoria before working as a dental assistant for Dr. Clint Griffin. After her marriage to Malcolm “Mac” Bailey in 1983, Betty began her life in the country with Mac and her new family on a large tobacco farm in the Keysville area.

Betty wore many hats over the years in addition to her role as a sweet and loving wife, mother and grandmother. Betty was a constant helper to Mac on the tobacco farm and in his many other businesses, including the Virginia-Carolina Warehouse, Golden Leaf Tobacco Co., S&M Brands, Inc. and a large cattle operation.

Other than her family, Betty’s two great joys in her life were working in her yard and bringing everyone a magical Christmas. Each spring Betty spent countless hours planting geraniums and hanging ferns that would come alive with color and gently dance in the hot summer breezes. Once the holiday season arrived, Betty transformed her home inside and out with twinkling lights, wreaths adorned with bows, and of course a joyous Christmas tree. Betty’s family will always cherish the smell of Christmas dinner, the taste of homemade treats and the festive Christmas music Betty would play by the first of November and well past Christmas into the New Year. Over the holidays, Betty always had on hand her favorite chocolate-covered cherries. She honored family traditions like making coconut cake with seven-minute icing and blackberry rolls.

Betty was greatly loved in this world by all who knew her. Now that she is free from all of these earthly cares, we ask our Lord to give Betty her well-deserved joy, rest and peace forever in heaven with her mother, father and sister. May we always remember the quiet grace of Betty’s heart, the generosity of her spirit, the healing balm of her kindness and her tireless work that sought nothing else but to let others shine.

Betty was preceded in death by her parents, Bill and Eva Baisey and her sister, Lois B. Waddill.

She is survived by her husband of 40 years Mac Bailey; her son, Everett W. Gee III (Kristin); her daughter, JoAnn Gee Bauer; stepsons, Michael A. Bailey (Christie), Steven A. Bailey (Tabitha) and Jonathan A. Bailey (Massie); her grandchildren, Tara Bauer, Audrey Gee, Luke Gee and Eva Gee; step grandchildren, Cody Bailey, Katherine Bailey, Carrington Bailey, Nicholas Bailey, Ben Bailey, Evan Bailey, Willow Bailey and Everly Bailey; four step great grandchildren; a dear niece and nephew; as well as beloved sister-in-law, brother-in-law and step nephew; and a precious care team who made her last year comfortable with their love and constant care in her home that she loved, Dr. Clay Hall, Shanna Atkins, Rhonda Holder, Kim Wallace and Katherine Bailey.

Funeral services were held on Sept. 3 at 11 a.m., at Cool Springs Christian Church, 2852 Ontario Road, Keysville, followed by a private family interment at the Bailey farm. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to Betty’s favorite charity, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

The Browning-Duffer Funeral Home in Keysville is in charge of arrangements.